Ivy strangling the countryside

I AM very concerned about the many hedgerow trees gradually being strangled by ivy, particularly in the East and North Ridings. Maybe recent climate change has made the ivy grow more virulently, and therefore it is more obvious?

If this problem is not tackled urgently by our councils, estate owners and farmers, we will soon have thousands of dead trees, and our beautiful countryside will be much the poorer.

Southern bias

From: Arthur Quarmby, Underhill, Holme. Holmfirth.

In recent weather reports, you have on several occasions referred to exceptional rainfall without prefacing it with: “In some locations, this has been...”

Otherwise you yourselves are suffering from the assumption that what happens in the South is of supreme importance.

Here in Holme we are 1,000 feet up in the Pennines, and our rainfall has been nothing out of the ordinary. However the winter has so far been exceptionally mild.

Stuck indoors

From: J Shedlow, Fir Tree Lane, Moortown

EVERYTHING is geared up to keeping young people stopping in. Youth clubs have been closed down and the smaller local gyms have closed.

Socialising is becoming a thing of the past (except Facebook and similar). No wonder Chinese children are five years ahead in education.

Calling the tune

From: Nigel Miles, Stillington.

RECENTLY, while thinking about Scottish independence, I thought of the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

Need I say more?