Sir. - Your report (D&S, Yorkshire edition, April 4), of the meeting concerning Middleham Moor failed to mention that, at the beginning of the discussion, the trainers' representative gave a brief speech outlining the situation from their point of view. The gait holders' lawyer then made a vitriolic reply, accusing the trainers of having no respect for the law, when the trainers were simply trying to protect the safety of the riders, horses and the sheep.

This reply was nothing short of public humiliation and did not encourage proper debate.

Grazing of the moor by sheep, cattle and horse racing has been going on for hundreds of years and it would have been, in my view, essential to establish when the gait holders' rights were given to them, the circumstances at the time and the circumstances of why the horse racers were not given rights.

We should also consider that, when the gait holders were given their rights, a law was passed to forbid the beating of a door mat outside one's front door on a Sunday. This law has now thankfully been repealed.

BRIAN TYLDESLEY The Springs, Middleham.

Sir. - With reference to your article about the inquiry into fencing to protect riders and race horses on Middleham Moor.

The principle of establishing a Moor Users' Group was published in the Middleham town plan two years ago. It was seen as a way of encouraging dialogue between users, with the hope of generating mutual respect and keeping the owners, Middleham Town Council, up to speed on people's views.

Unfortunately, only one person, apart from the council and Middleham Trainers' Association, showed an interest in joining such a group, so the idea could not get off the ground.

In my view, it would be great if, as your article suggests, Rodney Tennant and others were now willing to get involved.

However, it should be remembered that this would be a user group, not the old moor management committee, as the Charity Commissioners declared that illegal a number of years ago.

This is a way of contributing to the well-being of Middleham and the moor, not controlling them. The town council owns the moor and is the only body which can take responsibility for its management.

A willingness for dialogue and compromise has always been needed to solve this problem in a way that will protect Middleham's income. Perhaps the litmus test for whether compromise is in the air will be to see how many animals appear on the moor this month.

A demonstration of restraint by the small group of gait owners involved in this issue would make life safer for horses and riders while we await a decision.

Perhaps the saddest part of all this is that we have been subjected to a planning inquiry because of the objections to the fencing.

Of those 16 objections, four came from Middleham residents, whereas 15 of 16 letters of support came from Middleham.

The inquiry has cost a great deal of money, we have put our future prosperity in the hands of the Secretary of State and we have no idea what the decision will be or when it will be made.

I think we should all be very uncomfortable about that.

NANCY MURGATROYD Hill House, Middleham.