Sir, - I am surprised at the lack of publicity given to the imminent closure of one of Richmond's most valued shopping facilities. The garden and farm supply centre has been in existence for 27 years and is an Aladdin's cave of all types of hardware, farm and building supplies and much else.

The firm operates from the old Richmond railway station which is owned by Richmondshire District Council. In its wisdom, the RDC executive has decided not to renew the lease. As far as I can ascertain, this is because they now think that the business is unsuitable for the area. They want it used for leisure activities.

There is already a swimming pool and a gym on the site and what could be more leisure-orientated than gardening and DIY? At the same time the rent has been doubled with a subsequent increase in the rates.

These burdens the proprietors would be reluctantly prepared to meet, but if the lease is terminated, they are academic and the business will be forced to close.

RDC has been desperately trying to encourage trade in the town so this decision, which will close a flagship enterprise, is even more bizarre. The knock-on effects are extensive.

Local shoppers and those from a wide area, who rely on the garden centre, will be forced out of town. Small businesses will also have to go elsewhere. Travelling to Darlington and further afield will incur extra time and fuel costs and will increase tradesmen's prices and cause real aggravation to ordinary individuals.

Equally worrying is the fact that all the staff will be out of work. This decision to terminate the lease seems to have been made at meetings which excluded the public. It concerns me that decisions by the servants of the local population can be reached in such a dictatorial fashion without reference to the feelings of the people who pay the wages of these council officers.

I would encourage all those who value this facility to make their feelings known to their local councillors and the RDC executive.

DR J D ROBERTSON

Hillcrest,

25 Westfields,

Richmond.

Sir, - I understand that the local council is not going to renew the lease to Mr and Mrs Pattison. I assume that money is at the root of the problem. The Pattisons have run a most useful concern to the benefit of local householders, DIY enthusiasts, farmers and local tradesmen, for 27 years. The council is supposed to represent our interests, bit it seems that Richmond could lose yet another facility if it persists in closing the premises down. Is it determined to direct us in the direction of Darlington or Northallerton, to the detriment of local shopping?

I know nothing of any negotiations that may have been going on, and write as a regular user of the garden centre who, with very many others, feels that the council should re-think the situation, and consider the electors' interests.

J D McDONALD

60 Frenchgate,

Richmond.

Seize the chance

Sir, - Further to the letters in last week's edition, I would like to add my concerns and comments on the Creets Bridge, Kirkby Malzeard, debate.

North Yorkshire County Council was prepared to replace Creets bridge, which was almost washed away in the November floods, with a new bridge exactly in keeping with the original but 2m wider. With this we were getting the best of both worlds - a much safer bridge and improving an amenity which was constructed for horses and carriages.

Local support for the proposed wider bridge is overwhelming, but English Heritage in its wisdom has bowed to pressure from a minority and has saddled NYCC with a more expensive and very dangerous alternative in repairing the bridge, which was almost washed away, to is former state.

With the awkward approach to the bridge and the size of vehicles using it, we shall still have the problem of motorists knocking down the walls, as in the past, adding a financial burden to NYCC and the ratepayer.

I am quite sure that we will be ridiculed by future generations for not seizing this opportunity of improving a very dangerous and awkward structure.

HARRY NICHOLSON

Castiles,

Dallowgill,

Ripon.

Where's Geordie?

Sir, - We are looking for Geordie Davison who was an electrical mechanic on HMS Tiger in the 50s, last known address was Darlington. Any person who served on HMS Tiger and wishes to get in touch can do so at the address below.

DENNIS R PORTER

Secretary, HMS Tiger Association,

54 Wrensfield Road,

Newtown estate,

Stockton on Tees, TS19 0BD.