Inconvenient truth

In denial of the fact we must face up to the "inconvenient truth" that global warming is here, and we must take all measures we can to arrest the problem, by pursuing all sources of safe renewable energy.

We plead with third world nations to cut back on carbon emissions, and then tell an individual in this country that she is not allowed to put up a solar panel on the basis that it is in a conservation area and, therefore, aesthetically unacceptable.

This is not a case of double standards, it is rank hypocrisy.

Sacrifices are going to have to be made, and in the scheme of things I don't think a solar panel on every house in the country is much of a sacrifice if it helps to maintain our living environment.

One other thing. You state in your leading article that the imposition of wind turbines on land near Nothallerton will "blight" the landscape, but at the same time admit that the area concerned is not actually protected, whether by the national park or area of outstanding natural beauty designation.

If we are going to zealously apply planning legislation and In memory Sir, - I refer to your report about the auction of a school desk made by Thompson of Kilburn, near Thirsk (D&S, Sep 5). I was a pupil in 1947 at Rutherford Grammar School, Newcastle, when Mr C S Hall, headmaster, and Mr J Grant, art master, travelled to Thirsk to commission a war memorial in the form of a lectern, table and chair.

These were installed in 1950 and were a daily reminder to the boys of the debt they owed to the courage and devotion of their predecessors.

ALAN SMAILES Mickleton, Barnard Castle.

Let's have a mayor Sir, - The latest NY Times, the organ of North Yorkshire County Council, asks for comments about what form of local government we want after 2009.

Apparently, the choice is between a system similar to that used now, with a Leader and Cabinet elected by council members, and one where people elect their mayor directly.

The council favours the former method but I say, why shouldn't we have a mayor?

He or she would represent the local people, not a particular group, and might bring a bit more discussion to local politics.

They would have the great advantage of being able to say that local people elected them to represent the people and if what they want did not fit any party line, so be it.

Both Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson seem to have realised as they got into the job that they were their own man and not the servant of any special interest group.

Anyway, it would be a lot more fun to have a mayor. We would have the excitement of an election and then he or she would represent us at important events.

Much more dignified to say "Pray silence for the Mayor of North Yorkshire" than "Here's the leader of the Council" - a phrase which has echoes of Orwell's 1984.

I would be interested to hear other people's views on this issue.

CHRISTOPHER IRWIN Meadow Close, Northallerton.

Funds needed Sir, - Recently there was a meeting in Bagby called by DISC (Dalton Incinerator Steering Committee) to update us with news of the waste disposal situation at Dalton Airfield.

I know that a lot of people who registered at the first meeting, as I did, have received some paperwork regarding this issue but it was still disappointing that only 21 people turned up and this included two from Thirkleby and six from Kilburn.

David Andrews and his team put together a very good presentation and the seriousness of the situation, should Dalton be the chosen site, was once again explained.

I am now wondering if the people of Thirsk, Northallerton, Kilburn, Bagby and all the villages around are really aware of the amount of pollution this site will create and the dangers.

If you are unsure then please contact DISC at 3A Kirkgate, Thirsk and speak to Mr Andrews.

Fighting this project needs cash. At the moment DISC is asking for £10 per person. Already over £2,000 has been spent on legal advice and I believe the funds in the bank are less then £1,000. I believe around £5,000 is needed.

Sometime ago our village was illegally posted with an unsigned letter of doom, death and disaster that was designed to mislead villages; be sure of one thing - a bit of noise isn't going to ruin your health but Dioxin and Furan will, as other areas of this country have found to their cost.

Full information can be obtained from DISC at 3A Kirkgate and if anyone wants to know why a chimney 5,000ft high would be needed to take the pollution away, then talk to a One EU centre Sir, - This month, due to structural problems with the parliament building, MEPs avoided the monthly trip to Strasbourg, a situation that pleased many.

Currently, European law obliges the parliament to meet in Strasbourg 12 times a year.

Historically, Strasbourg represents the reconciliation of France and Germany after the world wars of the last century.

I have been at the forefront of calls to scrap the two-venue European parliament and indeed in 2006, along with David Cameron, I was the first major UK party leader to sign the www.oneseat.eu petition aimed at removing the European Parliament from Strasbourg, which has now attracted over one million signatures.

There are strong financial and environmental reasons for ending this travelling circus - not least costs of £160m and 20,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.

I strongly believe a decision must be made soon regarding the parliament's location and it should have one home - Brussels.

However, I would sound a warning note about abandoning Strasbourg completely. It would be unfair to completely abandon Strasbourg as this would have a serious detrimental effect on the economy of the city and affect many small businesses which may rely on the monthly influx of visitors. Imagine the dismay of the hoteliers.

Perhaps a compromise could be reached with, for example, NATO relocating to Strasbourg.

Whatever the final solution, it is clear that the European Parliament should have one seat - Brussels. There is no defence for the needless monetary and environmental expense that Strasbourg costs us all.

TIMOTHY KIRKHOPE Conservative MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber, Scotton, near Knaresborough.

Richmond's glories Sir, - Recently, we visited Richmond.

Apart from nearly being killed at the new Scotch Corner roundabout, we had a very entertaining day.

There are many shops which we don't have in Darlington, including The Edinburgh Woollen Mill. The hills are very hard work and the castle out of bounds because of the prices. I would have loved to go up the castle keep, but a helicopter would be needed now.

There are three museums, each well worth seeing. Our own museum disappeared a long time ago.

Richmond also has an excellent cinema, which is more than can said for many other towns of its size.

We had excellent meal in The Castle Tavern. The parking is free for a limited time, and they have a different MP to the one we have here for which they are very lucky.

JOHN A BARR Darlington.

Editor's note: We hope Mr Barr takes advantage of our reduced price entry offer for the castle in today's paper (see page 15). The helicopter is more difficult to arrange.

On plans for a waste incinerator at Dalton, near Thirsk Michael Ryan, of Shrewsbury, posted on Monday: Sheffield has 28 electoral wards and a major incinerator at Bernard Road, which is in Darnall electoral ward.

One of Sheffield's electoral ward has to have the highest infant mortality rate and for the three-year period 2004-2006, that ward "just happens to be"

Darnall ward. That was a onein- 28 outside chance if infant deaths are randomly distributed.

Looking at Rotherham Borough, where there are 21 electoral wards, what are the odds of the ward with the highest rate being downwind of Darnal ward with SW wind, ie in Rotherham West ward? The odds of that happening by chance is one in 21, ie another outside bet.

Most of us who like to gamble would like a "double" to come in at high odds and that's exactly what's happened in the above two wards, as Darnall has the highest infant death rate in Sheffield and Rotherham West has the highest rate in Rotherham and the odds of these two events occurring by chance is the product of the individual odds - 28 multiplied by 21, which is 1 in 588. It's similar for incinerators elsewhere.

The 2004-6 infant death rate in Rotherham West is higher than in Darnall ward and is more than three times higher than the national average rate.

It's no coincidence that infant death rates are high near incinerators.

On Richmondshire District Council's State of the District debate next week Miss C, Richmond, posted last Thursday: Hope they're prepared for a late night. There are a number of people incredibly unhappy with this council and will welcome the chance to let the councillors know.

But will they listen? If the past is any indication, probably not!

On extending domestic abuse support services in North Yorkshire to male victims Amfortas, Australia, posted on Wednesday: It is good to see that "equality" has finally found a toe-hold in Yorkshire. It hasn't anywhere else in the world.

Please don't tell Harriet Harman or she will nuke the place.

Weather Week in association with deny Mrs Simper her solar panel, then we must similarly pursue all options to exploit renewable energy where planning law has no statute to, reasonably, prevent it.

I believe the head in sand "nimby" days are over. It's just that our elected politicians, of all persuasions, are not prepared to tell us the vote-losing "inconvenient truth".

JOHN ELM