I FEEL very sorry for Martin Brumby (Letters, July 27). He must be a very sad and bitter person to air his sarcastic views about York Natural Environment Trust and its representative, Barry Potter.

The trust does an excellent job in promoting and protecting the natural environment with its wealth of wildlife, in particular ancient pasture land and hedgerows which are our heritage and are just as important to York as the Minster and city walls.

I refer of course to the proposed Derwenthorpe site and other sites around the city which people like Mr Brumby would prefer to see lost to incompetent and ill-thought-out development.

Bob Peel,

Temple Avenue,

York.

...MR Brumby attacks YNET and Barry Potter, despite his knowledge of what YNET has achieved for the city.

I cannot help but take his comments with a very large pinch of salt. I attended a council meeting three or four years ago, representing York & District Amalgamation of Anglers, at which Mr Brumby stood up and stated unequivocally: "Anglers kill swans with the use of lead shot weights".

I informed him after the meeting that the use of lead shot for anglers weights (of certain sizes) had been banned by law since January 1987.

He agreed, saying he was well aware of that fact, but, as far as I am aware, he has never withdrawn that statement.

Hence, I am very wary of what he may allege.

R Hutchinson,

Secretary,

York & District Amalgamation of Anglers,

York Natural Environment Trust,

Manor Park Close,

York.

Updated: 11:23 Friday, July 30, 2004