CONGRATULATIONS to Sir Gary Verity on the production of his new tourist guide (“Welcome to Yorkshire”, Gazette, June 29).

As he states: “Yorkshire has an abundance of beautiful market towns scattered throughout the county including the very best in Britain.”

He makes a special mention about Helmsley (where I live) which was named market town of the year in last year’s Great British High Street Awards.

We love this county for its diversity – we have the moors, seaside and the farmland, this farmland which produces the high quality and unique products which Sir Gary refers to.

This in turn gives employment both in farming and tourism, the latter employing almost a quarter of a million people and which he states is worth £7 billion annually.

I am sure Sir Gary is aware that just over a month ago, North Yorkshire County Council planning passed the first test frack in the country in the heart of Ryedale at Kirby Misperton.

If gas is found, this could be the beginning of the industrialisation of our beloved Yorkshire – the very area Sir Gary is so proud to promote.

The oil and gas companies have already carved up Yorkshire ready to drill should future planning be passed. Bearing this in mind, would Ryedale still look the same in five years’ time?

June Smith, Pottergate, Helmsley

Youths’ EU dismay

I DID not intend to publicly comment on the referendum result, but Graham Dixon’s letter about the the bitterness of young people (Gazette & Herald, June 29) changed my mind.

What utter humbug to criticise young people for their dismay about the Brexit vote and its consequences. They have every right to feel concerned about the future.

In just one week we saw the 300-year British union under severe threat, the nation bitterly divided, political disarray and betrayal, a surge of racial intolerance and assaults, falling interest rates and indications of reduced foreign investment.

All for the largely illusory gain of more “sovereignty”.

I too have grandchildren, and I share Mr Tate-Smith’s anger, as do my children and stepchildren at an act which has needlessly jeopardised their future.

Mike Gwilliam, Langton Road, Norton

Stop laying blame

IN THE 1960s, we used to blame all our ills, woes, disasters and weather on the effects of nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific. In the 1980s, we were blaming the effects of climate change.

It is now manifestly noticeable that blame is being heaped upon the effects of Brexit.

Why is it that the British actively seek to lay blame upon someone or something remote from themselves?

Look into, examine and study the future development path of the European Union as is laid down in the rigid and immutable treaties agreed and adopted by all the formerly independent nations, including the United Kingdom, currently in the EU and be glad that we have a chance to shake off a future in an imposing authoritarian state.

D M Loxley, Hartoft, Pickering