IS Kevin Hollinrake MP voting in parliament in support of his constituents?

Agriculture is a major part of the economy in the rural Thirsk and Malton constituency. So too is food, with Malton the self-styled food capital of Yorkshire.

Our farmers and growers are rightly concerned about the future of their businesses when EU rules governing agriculture cease to apply.

The National Farmers Union and Save British Farming are pressing government for legal safeguards against reductions to UK standards.

This aim is supported by various supermarkets, environmental organisations and industry experts, including local chef Tommy Banks.

In recent polling, the public showed overwhelming support for the country’s farmers, expressed concern about how the nation’s food is produced and wants to see a greener recovery from Covid-19.

A fellow Tory MP tabled an amendment to the Agriculture Bill in May.

It would have enshrined in law the principle that imported food must be produced to the same or higher welfare and environmental standards as those required in the UK.

Twenty-two Tory MPs and all opposition parties voted for the amendment. Mr Hollinrake professes his support for farmers, most recently in a statement on his website. Yet he voted against it.

Imports of chlorinated chicken, hormone-treated beef and produce treated with pesticides banned in the EU must not be allowed to compromise our food standards.

If Kevin Hollinrake really wants to support his constituents, why didn’t he vote for the amendment that would have done just that?

R Henley, Ryedale

Champion tribute

I WOULD like to pay tribute to the local young people who were acknowledged as Rotary Young Champions 2020.

This scheme looked at what local children and young people were doing for the community during lockdown.

At this very difficult time, it was amazing to hear of the work these children were doing, including taking groceries and medication to vulnerable people, manufacturing face shields and running a stall of donation food for the local community.

The final champions nominated a charity to donate to and Ryedale Special Families were very fortunate to by nominated by Phoebe Crick, Ryan Flintham, Tom Croft and Edith Brannon and we received £320 from the Malton & Norton Rotarians.

Thank you so much to these inspirational young people and their families, who I am sure are very supportive of their endeavours.

Lisa Keenan, Ryedale Special Families

Thanks for help

I CAN not thank you and your readers enough for resolving the mystery around the location where an old family photo was taken (Gazette & Herald, September 16).

I suppose it does look a bit hidden on the Google map, but when someone points it out to you (that it is Darnholme, near Goathland) it helps. I know now I have been so close when I was looking, but just could not pinpoint it.

Once again, thank you to everyone who kindly took the time to respond and resolve the mystery. It is really appreciated.

G Sykes & Family, Huddersfield

Scouts’ milestone

This year on April 18, 2020, 1st Norton Scout Group was 70 years old.

To celebrate this anniversary, the group had planned a series of special events to take place throughout the year, these included an open day with a 70th anniversary raffle that was to be held on the anniversary date, a special group camp at Hasty Bank, a sponsored walk in aid of the Tom Parsons Trust and twinning our scout hut toilets.

Unfortunately, due to the lockdown in March all these events were postponed.

However, we were able to go ahead and twin our toilets and the plaques are now proudly displayed in the hut. We were also finally able to do our 70th anniversary raffle draw on Saturday, September 12.

We would like to thank all the businesses in Malton, Norton and the surrounding area for their very generous support in donating the superb prizes.

We had more than 70 which have now been distributed to the winners. Like many others who have been affected by the pandemic this has not been the year we planned, however, when the time is right we plan to celebrate our 70 years and hold all the events.

Ian Appleby, 1st Norton Scout Group