Sir, - I am sorry to read that the Gold Cup at Nether Silton looks as if it will close and be turned into a private house (D&S report, April 27)but I accept that the landlord can't be expected to continue to run a business at a loss, as seems to have been the case over five years or more.

The alternative to closure is of course to sell, but who among us will buy a business that loses money year in year out? Selling is not a realistic option.

What saddens me even more than the impending demise is the attitude of the local people who see themselves "fighting" the landlord's plans by holding meetings and signing a petition to keep the pub open when what is required is for them to work with the licensee, patronise his premises, and make the business viable. I'm sure that if each of the 150 people who signed the petition had cared enough to visit the pub just once a month then the doors would be remaining open.

The truth is, however, that they don't really care enough. It is a most elegant sophistry to believe that the village pub can be a vibrant heart of a community without local people actually needing to bother visiting it.

I wish Mr Martin, the landlord, well for the future. As for the petitioners, I hope that in time they come to realise that they have reaped what they have sown by not using and supporting their local pub.

RUSSELL SMITH

Mill Hill Crescent,

Northallerton.

It's not helping

Sir, - Further to my letter last week and the response from Mr Worthington (D&S letters and report, April 27) I have sympathy with everyone of Mr Worthington's customers, but would like to point out if Catterick Sunday market was cancelled this they would only lose business one day a week.

There are thousands of businesses which are losing out every day of the week thanks to foot-and-mouth. Hundreds if not thousands of people have lost their jobs. Everyone has got to do their bit to get rid of this disease.

Mr Worthington says no stock has grazed on the racecourse for months. I would say no stock has grazed on the racecourse for years, but stock are grazing on land adjoining the racecourse about 300 yards from the market.

Mr Worthington says he has abided by the guidelines, but these guidelines would have been introduced made when foot-and-mouth was 30 miles away not on three farms within two miles.

Mr Worthington should admit he could be contributing, even if only in a small way, in helping to prolong this crisis.

F DONALDSON

Home Farm,

Brompton on Swale.