Sir, - I expect it was a disappointment to certain letter and comment writers, that the Liberty and Livelihood March was entirely peaceful and well represented the view of farming's desperate plight as well as people's determination to preserve their freedom to enjoy countryside pursuits.

Congratulations to all farmers, countrysiders and libertarians who turned out in such impressive numbers to try and raise awareness of the unfairness this Government imposes on farmers (in the last three years, EU farm income, +14pc; UK farm income, -42pc).

It seems ironic that some of these writers should preach about democracy to countryside people, when our leader erodes democracy at every opportunity and has used the Parliament Act to steamroller over democracy more times than all previous prime ministers.

This Government now proposes to use the Parliament Act in the hunting debate if necessary in spite of the Burns inquiry into hunting concluding, as the latest three-day inquiry appears to, that hunting with dogs is among the least cruel means of culling a very cruel animal which has no natural predator.

I would point out that these inquiries were conducted by experts in their field and I give more credence to their findings than the whims of 70pc of the population who may or may not know anything of the cruelty involved in nature.

J HESLOP

Langton Farm,

Gainford.

True colours

Sir, - It is pleasing to see there are others who can see trough the veneer of the Countryside Alliance (Peter Atkinson and Mick White, D&S, Sept 20). The following issues were conspicuous by their absence during last week's march: the way the supermarkets are ripping off the small farmer; improved public transport for rural villages; the effects of genetically modified crops on the countryside; promoting initiatives for the economic regeneration of rural areas; affordable housing for young people so they can afford to live in the Dales villages in which they were born and raised; the destruction of the countryside by the erection of unnecessary monstrous electricity pylons; the introduction of an effective and efficient crisis management system for outbreaks of incidents such as foot-and-mouth; retaliation against the French for their illegal ban on importing British beef into France; financial help for the tourist industry, which has had a double hit during the past year.

The above list is not exhaustive but they are all real issues which fundamentally affect the countryside. Instead the principal issue of the Countryside Alliance is fox hunting.

The tactics of the Countryside Alliance are identical to those of the Communists of the Seventies. This was another organisation which knew its cause would not be accepted by the British electorate so, to get elected, they joined the Labour Party and called themselves Socialists.

Similarly, the "Countryside Alliance" knows if it called itself by its true title, i.e. The Fox Hunting Supporters, the vast majority of the British population would endorse every independent poll on fox hunting and condemn them.

I would respectfully remind the fox hunting supporters that they represent a tiny minority of the people of Britain and the fight for freedom and liberty has long been fought and won by the people of this nation including fighting two world wars. We all have a vote, it is called democracy. The people of Britain and the Parliament they elected are against fox hunting and this is enough to have this barbaric sport banned. Their futile activity last Sunday was a march against democracy.

TREVOR NICHOLSON

5 Mill Lane,

Leeming.

Off track

Sir, - There has been some amusement in the village of Kirkby in Cleveland regarding your front page caution last week that "Stokesley drivers are being warned of the temporary closure of the green lane over Cringle Moor from its junction with Toft Hill to the Cleveland Way" later this month.

The green lane in question is the old packhorse track from Kirkby to Beak Hills and on over the top. It would be funny if it was not such a sad situation. What was an old road used from medieval times up through the end of the eighteenth century by men with packs, packhorses, and those driving cattle and sheep, was somehow classified in the past as a road with vehicular access.

In recent years, what is essentially a footpath has been badly damaged by the passage of motorcycles and the consequent erosion by the rains. After years of neglect the present closure is so that some repair work can be done, but this will only make the path passable again for a short time.

Continued use by motor vehicles will lead inevitably to more damage, making the path again difficult for walkers. Recent damage has been seen in other areas of the path where repair work is not presently contemplated, and worse is the breaking off of one of the irreplaceable stone marker posts which borders the ancient stone trod.

It appears that in the eighteenth century the road was an important part of the link between Stokesley and Helmsley. The steepness and narrowness of the path meant that it was unsuitable for the horse-drawn wheeled traffic of the early nineteenth century and as a road it became redundant.

Those who have been along the path will recognise that it is not suitable for motor vehicles. North Yorkshire County Council has been asked to examine the history of the classification as a road and hopefully proceed to its reclassification as a bridle path. It is hoped that this action would receive the support of all interested parties.

COUN JEFF MAWER

Chairman,

Kirkby in Cleveland Parish Council