Sir, – It was gratifying to read the tribute paid to Alex Dinsdale by Hawes and High Abbotside Parish Council (D&S, Sept 19) and also to hear of his life at his funeral service a month before.

There can be no doubt that Alex’s roots were firmly in upper Wensleydale and that he was a great campaigner for anything he could see that would improve the lives of the people living there. Nevertheless, as someone who knew Alex only during the last few years of his life, I am surprised that the tributes paid to him overlooked the last eight years of his life and his unerring commitment to the reopening of Gayle Mill.

In November 2000, while still the chairman of Hawes Parish Council, Alex was appointed to the chair of a working group set up to advise on the practicalities of restoring and revitalising Gayle Mill. As was typical of Alex, he threw himself wholeheartedly into the project, campaigning untiringly to ensure its success. In 2004, the working group metamorphosed into Gayle Mill Trust, with Alex still in the lead. Although declining health latterly forced Alex to resign the chairmanship and attendance at meetings, he maintained his interest and support, even attending the opening of the mill to the public on March 18, 2008.

Alex used to give me a lift to Gayle Mill meetings and we invariably had our own minimeetings in the car, when Alex would pour out all the frustrations and concerns that come with projects of this kind, but he never lost sight of succeeding in the end.

Only a month or two before his death, Alex turned up at the mill one afternoon, in a car driven by a friend. Despite being extremely ill, he had to come and see his beloved mill at least one more time. He talked positively of once again being involved in the affairs of the mill but that was not to be.

Alex was intensely proud that his forbears had part ownership of the mill in the past and that he could trace his ancestors back to 1612 in the village of Gayle. In this, in his appreciation of the tremendous heritage of Gayle Mill, and in his commitment to ensuring it remained for future generations to enjoy, Alex showed himself to be a true Dalesman. We owe it to Alex’s memory that his total commitment to Gayle Mill should not be forgotten.

MICHAEL THOMSON Vice-Chairman, Gayle Mill Trust.