Reading between the lines of this letter (Let’s all take part, Letters, May 11), is Mr Laidlaw Wilson suggesting that Tadcaster should have what are now referred to as “pressure groups”?

Is Mr Laidlaw Wilson unaware that historically Tadcaster is a peace-loving town?

Moreover, this brewery-dominated area was in no way influenced by the questionable activities of the Luddites or by the Chartists dubious causes and values.

In my younger days I was a regular attender at Tadcaster’s local council meetings as a ratepayer and, later, as a council taxpayer.

Sadly for me, whenever I raised any questions of local interest or concerns there was no perceived enthusiasm for a considered reply to my valid arguments.

I came away from those local council meetings with the impression of “don’t rock the boat”. Could this really have been so?

Ida Mary Goodrick, Woodlands Avenue, Tadcaster.