Sir, - Regrettably the countryside is having to call again, in force, on Westminster on September 22. This is entirely MPs' own fault: the only interest most of them appear to show in the countryside is in trying to force an unjust hunting ban through Parliament.

Such a measure would not help a single rural (or urban) family and would harm many. It would also harm, not help, animal welfare. Meanwhile most MPs show little intent to tackle the key threats to rural life, such as the collapse in farm prices, the disintegration of rural services or the near-inaffordablity of local housing for many rural families.

This has served only to compound rural people's views of the House of Commons as a place whose ruling politicians neither understand nor care about the real crisis in rural Britain, where, unless one happens to be wealthy, living in the countryside is becoming increasingly difficult.

The theme of the Countryside Alliance's massive September march for the countryside is Liberty and Livelihood. Its purpose is to demand that Government commits itself to defending the right of rural people to live their lives responsibly in the way they choose; to safeguard rural people from prejudiced attacks on hunting with dogs and all other field sports; to respect the values and customs of rural communities; to ensure any laws directed at rural people have their consent; and to address the real problems of the countryside which are destroying its communities, its culture and its children's future

In short, the march is to call on the Government to ensure Parliament does something for, rather than to, the people of the countryside.

Here in the North-East we are well under way with preparations for the event, with a number of transport organisers in place. Anyone wishing to take part and who would like to travel down with us should call me on 01661 881800. For many of those who marched in 1998, it proved to be a memorable and moving event. The march in 2002 should top this experience. More important, it should send a signal of rural solidarity and resolve that it will be next to impossible for any responsible Government to ignore.

Richard Dodd

North Regional Director,

Countryside Alliance,

Ogle,

Ponteland.

Patterns adjust

Sir, - Three of your correspondents (Aug 16) speak of predators and the need for their control.

Both predator and prey populations depend on many factors: food sources, disease, breeding sites, climate. Of course, if rabbits suddenly go down with myxomatosis, buzzard and fox numbers also drop, but a balance will soon be struck.

The reintroduction of the red kite (principally a carrion eater) and other birds of prey all of which used to hunt over these islands will make no significant difference to overall populations, and extinctions will not occur because of them. After an initial swing, the pattern will adjust. The major aim is to recover some of the diversity of life which has in recent times been so severely reduced.

The top of all pyramids these days is of course man, who with his gun and his dominance has upset the natural balance by striving to eliminate his own and his food species' direct predators and thus alter the natural world perhaps beyond its ability to adjust.

We condemn the fox ('Wanton killer' said your header) simply for being a predator, occasionally a successful competitor of ours in the matter of livestock which we keep to eat. Why not admit that we hunt and kill foxes for entirely selfish reasons, not to save their prey. Why else for example do we hunt one of the fox's own prey species - the 'poor defenceless' hare?

Pat Anderson

Stanwick St John,

Flood crews

Sir, - Following the flooding in the Northallerton area and comments that have been made about the fire and rescue service response, I feel the following should be made public.

On the nights of July 30 and August 2, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service received 403 calls for assistance, 63 of which were in the Northallerton area. These calls were attended by crews from Northallerton, Thirsk, Bedale, Boroughbridge and Tadcaster, and a number of officers in 4x4 vehicles.

Types of help given included assisting people from property, rescuing persons from vehicles, salvaging property, sandbagging and pumping out premises and removing water from roadways; general advice was also given to people and at all times fire cover was maintained, indeed several calls to fires were answered during this time.

I have been a firefighter in Northallerton for 22 years and flooding has occurred on only one previous occasion at the recent levels. I am quite happy that within the county we have the resources to cope with any foreseeable flooding.

T TASANE

Northallerton firefighter

Good work

Sir.,- I would like support the views expressed by Tim Tasane. I am area director of fire services for Hambleton and Richmondshire districts. During the recent flooding incidents, I was heavily involved in supporting brigade operations from the command and control centre in Northallerton.

Crews across the county were kept extremely busy for hours on end, moving from one flooded property to another. Control staff worked tirelessly to ensure that none of the 400-plus calls was missed, and that attendances were properly prioritised. I have nothing but praise for all the fire and rescue staff involved in these difficult and unusual operations.

DAVID HALL

Divisional Officer

Tea treat

Sir, - Can I express thanks to all those in Osmotherley who worked so hard last Sunday to provide the St Peter's Church pilgrimage teas, particularly those who made and served the wonderful cakes and savouries.

NORMA THWAITES

Ruebury Lane,

Osmotherley.

Greyhound appeal

Sir, - North-East Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue - a branch of the Retired Greyhound Trust charity dedicated to finding new homes for greyhounds after their racing careers have ended, is seeking the support of your readers for a new campaign - Grace 2002.

Grace 2002 is being launched by the trust this year to encourage more people to consider homing a retired greyhound.

Although active during their racing days, greyhounds make for extremely gentle, docile and low-maintenance pets in retirement. Easy to feed and look after, these loving dogs require just two 20-minute walks per day, and will happily laze around for most of the time.

Anyone wishing to help the Retired Greyhound Trust realise the aims of Grace 2002 and who wants to find out more about providing a home to a greyhound should call the North-East Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue on 0191 522 5896.

MARGARET GARDENER

North East Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue,

Sunderland.