Who will help the business folk?

I've got news for him: he was wrong then, and he's even more wrong now.

There's genuine distress in the farming community over foot and mouth, but farmers have a realistic safety net under them; no-one else caught up in this has.

It is difficult at this moment to think that our business will survive, and if it goes it takes our livelihood and home with it. Is this what we've worked for, all these years of 60 to 90-hour weeks, to be annihilated by something so far out of our control and so utterly unpredictable?

And for no-one in authority to think we might need some substantial, no-strings-attached assistance, like the farmers?

Don't think this is a short-term thing. Potential visitors from the UK and abroad have already made others plans for the summer and autumn. And we shall see no beginnings of a return to normal until we get the hills back in use for walking, climbing, etc. Informed opinion puts that as not before autumn, which means that it will be spring 2002 at the very earliest before we may see a return to profitable trading.

If MAFF were to come in here today and say "We're culling all your stock, but don't worry, you'll get top market price for it", what do you think I'd tell them?

If anyone in government is listening (which I doubt), how about it?

Graham Ball,

Partner,

Castleberg Sports, Settle.

SIR - Being a farming family in Malhamdale and involved in the present foot and mouth crisis I would like to pass on the thanks of the families involved to all the friends and residents of Malhamdale who have been so supportive and generous during the past week. Also many thanks to Reverend Mark I'Anson for his sterling work and reassurance.

A lifetime's work for many people and the prospects for the younger generation appear to have been destroyed but with the backing of this community we will face the future.

Kath Wellock

Kirkby Beck Farm

Kirkby Malham

SIR - I write as just an ordinary member of the public about the current local outbreak of foot and mouth in Craven. My letter really is to farmers themselves:

Many of the people I have spoken to this week are all appalled at the devastating situation you are facing at the moment: and I have no doubt at all that I speak for thousands.

Some of you have already lost all your stock and, together with others who now fear the worst for themselves, you must be sick with worry about your livelihoods. Many of you will have tended your animals with care and compassion, and we cannot imagine what it must be like to lose your flocks and herds like this, or to live with the very real prospect, with all its consequent fear and worry, of this present virulent disease reaching your farms.

I want to say that we really care about what you are going through. As much as we can be, we are right behind you and willing to hang in there and not give up hope. Should the worst scenario be a reality for you and your families, I trust that in the long run there will be a solution for you, and that re-stocking your farms when it is safe to do so will be an actuality.

I do so hope with all my heart that by this time next year, or hopefully, much sooner, your fields and pastures will, once more, be filled with the joyous sounds of flocks and herds, and that the nightmare experience of the present, with all its painful memories, will be receding into the past. Till then, you are in the hearts and thoughts of us all.

Sylvia Walker

Styveton Way, Steeton.

SIR - People in this part of Yorkshire are forced to get their local television news from Manchester.

Never is there any coverage of our concerns and events. Most of the time this is just annoying but now the exclusion is serious. The outbreak of foot and mouth has meant that many farms here are having their animals culled. Forged notices have been put up announcing that paths are open, bringing people on to the land at the very worst time.

Since we get so many visitors from Lancashire and since our farms are in danger, it is important that people are informed. When will we be rescued from this "no man's land" of non-reporting.

Hilary Fenten.

Selside, Settle.

SIR - Yorkshire Dales farmers are now suffering the foot and mouth epidemic in spite of the fact that Mr Blair and his troops are beating their way around the country, insisting that the disease is under control.

Little or nothing had been heard from the media, television or newspapers and because of this the majority of the public are blissfully unaware of what is happening in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.

As a result of this we are inundated with visitors in cars and buses; each and everyone of them being potential carriers aiding the spread of the virus.

It is essential therefore that some coverage be given to the situation here and that tourists, whether in cars, buses, bicycles or on foot should stay away, thus removing a certain proportion of the risk of spreading the disease.

The sooner everyone realises the gravity of the situation and acts accordingly, the sooner the country, as a whole, will be able to return to some sort of normality.

ST & JE Foster,

Newfield Grange Farm, Calton.

SIR - This week we have seen a major outbreak of hoof and mouth disease in the Ribble and Aire valleys. One has to ask the question why?

Could it be due to a coming general election and political doctoring?

This latest outbreak is a warning that the countryside must be put out of bounds for all outdoor pursuits.

It's a well known fact that anglers are great travellers and could easily spread this disease. We have a crazy situation that some stretches of rivers are open for angling.

In fact many of those fishing in Cumbria, a county that suffered badly from foot and mouth are from Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Disinfectant doesn't work. Let's stop all fishing until the problem is solved. Remember we can go fishing when the disease is over, many people will have lost everything.

Martin James

Kingfisher, Grindleton

SIR - It is with great sadness that I write this letter. During the course of the past two weeks, Settle and its farming community has been devastated by the foot and mouth outbreak.

Therefore please could anyone explain to me why the decision was taken to hold a flag festival at this time, as traditionally the flying of flags is associated with celebration.

It seems inappropriate to have taken such an insensitive decision, I know this view is shared by many residents, and surely the event could have been postponed until a later date.

Tracy Wilson,

Commercial Street, Settle

SIR - Your report dealing with foot and mouth disease in the edition of May 18 states: "Thousands of cattle and sheep... were wiped out by the disease." Let us be honest. Not a single animal has been killed by foot and mouth disease.

The animals were killed by MAFF policy, under pressure from the NFU. The vast majority of the animals killed were perfectly healthy. Even those few that were infected would, if segregated and left to their own devices, have got better within a fortnight.

In most cases they would have had no long term ill effects. The herd would then have started to build up a natural resistance to the present strain of the disease.

Of course, if the animals had been vaccinated then they would never have caught the disease in the first place.

In the Netherlands, at the first sign of an outbreak, they instigated a programme of vaccination, as advocated by the leading virologists in

Europe and the USA.

The result is that foot and mouth was contained, and the Netherlands is now well on its way to regaining the disease-free status that, for some reason, seems to be given such importance in this country.

Stuart Jackson,

Piece Fields,

Threshfield Skipton.

SIR - The undersigned organisations support the Government's continuing efforts to control foot and mouth disease (FMD).

Until the disease is eradicated these controls must remain a priority.

All our organisations want the countryside to return to normal as soon as possible.

Vital and vibrant local partnerships have been established to address FMD issues. We encourage all local authorities to set up such forums and to invite representatives from our organisations to join them.

We support the endeavours of those local authorities which have succeeded in opening some parts of the rights of way network.

However, with the bulk of paths in England and Wales still closed, the public perception is that the countryside remains off limits. We therefore:

o remind all local authorities of the recent veterinary advice from the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Assembly for Wales (NA W)

o call upon them to take prompt action in adopting the DETR and NA W's recent framework documents as a means to reopen, in time for the spring bank holiday, all those footpaths, bridleways and access land where it is safe to do so.

o ask authorities to publicise as widely as possible the extent to which rights of way and access land are open since walkers, cyclists, riders and other recreational users are extremely unlikely to visit without this information.

Ramblers Association,

National Farmers Union,

British Horse Society,

Council for National Parks,

Cyclists Touring Club

Outdoor Industries Association,

Camping and Caravanning Club. Pool neglect

SIR - I would like the opportunity to respond to the article 'Staff plan to give pool a new lease of life' (Craven Herald May 11).

Without doubt the staff have in the past laboured under a Craven Council regime that has deprived them of both monetary support and physical means to provide a quality service. The council seemingly has been unable to generate a yearly maintenance and repair programme resulting in the dire state of the building and heating units.

To imply that the pool is to be given a new lease of life is spin at its very worst. Apparently the reason that this work is now being undertaken is that the community lottery grant application will only be considered and successful if can be shown that such work is undertaken.

The council has suddenly found in excess of £4,000 to paint rotten timber, repair lockers that are broken and other short-term imagery work. What should be done is to replace and paint new timber, ensure that the boilers are modernised, on health grounds clear the family of crows out of the roofing space, provide lockers that work correctly and support the efforts of the staff; and manager, to provide a quality service.

However I must congratulate the new manager and staff who have recognised the need for a shower in the disabled changing area after some six years of trying.

What is proposed will deeply affect those users who, despite the fall in standards over the years, have continued their support. There are proposals to move the over 50s three lunchtime swims to two afternoon sessions, restrict the early morning swim to start at 6:45 not 6am, offer a disabled swim from 5 to 6pm on Saturdays and provide sessions for unknown unidentified community groups as required by the grant application.

I am sure that the response will be that the proposals are only tentative but in the past they have had a habit of becoming fact!

The over 50 swimmers are enraged at the proposal and I can only imagine the response of the early morning swimmers, who would also be deprived of a much used facility. I agree that Stephen Barr has good ideas but refute the implication that these have not been forthcoming in the past.

The pool is an important asset for Craven, and the surrounding area, that has been allowed to fall into a state of disrepair entirely through neglect. Please take this opportunity to regain those swimmers who have stopped coming due to falling standards.

P Taylor,

Spencer Walk, Skipton.

Support chemists

SIR - Thankfully much has been published about the effects that cut price medicines will (not might) have on the small chemists shops throughout the land.

Personally, I think it is tragic and should never have been allowed. I fail to see why the supermarkets don't want to make a profit and are slashing 40-50 per cent off.

There is one way, however, that the public can lend some support to their local chemist and that is to ensure that they take their prescriptions there for dispensing, rather than collecting at the doctor.

Whilst doctors' surgeries may welcome the profit from this service, they are not as likely to go bust without it as the shops will do.

Incidentally, the doctors do not employ a pharmacist, as does a shop. What saving there I wonder?

This is one playing field that certainly is not level.

Bob Wright,

Raikes Road, Skipton.

No political agenda

SIR - In reply to Mr Butterworth regarding short stay car parking charges at Grassington, as chairman of Grassington Chamber of Trade, I am not out to score points in the run-up to any election.

My sole aim is to see that Grassington continues to maintain its high esteem as a quality shopping centre, much loved by visitors to the Dales.

It would be gratifying to feel that the executive of the Yorkshire Dales National Park had the same sentiment at heart, but in the swashbuckling to and fro of recent weeks, it is all too evident that he and his authority are oblivious of our needs, stirring only to replace private transport with public services.

Would Mr Butterworth care to expand on how he promotes the well being of local businesses and business communities (as he states in his letter to the Craven Herald May 18)?

He may wish to reply in the form of yet another letter, or perhaps he would prefer to meet the Chamber of Trade in a head to head discussion on this and other matters of concern.

I am increasingly of the opinion that he is effectively setting up a wall of non-confrontation between himself and the community he is there to serve.

Martyn Fretwell,

Grassington Chamber of Trade,

Main Street, Grassington.

Two hours please

SIR - What Mr. Butterworth, chief executive of YDNPA, (Craven Herald letters, May 18) - and there have been others before him - fails to recognise is that one of my duties as a councillor is to represent the views of residents of the area, which includes the National Park. I am the county councillor for Mid Craven until the Sunday, following the election on June 7, regardless of the result.

Many residents of Malham and Kettlewell in addition to Grassington have clearly made their views known to me; that the short stay of one hour is not long enough. It needs to be two hours.

Shelagh Marshall,

Bow Bridge Drive, Embsay.

White elephant

SIR - I think the cockpit in the Grassington car park is too small, the poor birds competing will break their wings on the metal supports of the concrete roofing tiles.

When will the National Park authority build something that is both in keeping with the area and practical? I wonder if Mr Robert Heseltine would have said anything against such a white elephant.

If the park authority need a suitable model for a cockpit they could go to St Fagans, Cardiff (on their own expense).

Jim Monksfield

Buckden Barn, Buckden.