I was amused to read that Andrea Hair thought I had never set foot on a farm (Gazette, November 16).

One of my most treasured possessions is a medal that my late father was awarded for working on the same farm for 51 years.

Farm work was the only work my family knew for as long as I can remember.

One of my grandfathers lost an arm in an accident in one of the old threshing machines and an uncle died from lung cancer which he contracted while inhaling dust when he was working in a grain drier for years.

So I do know a little about the downside of farming.

But I also remember the many happy hours I spent in the fields when the women and children took the men's tea to them when they were hay making or harvesting.

I am also well aware that certain jobs have to be done on Sunday such as milking, harvesting etc., but there are other things which could wait.

And now that road tax on tractors and farm machinery has been abolished why shouldn't motorists complain if they are held up on the roads.

Look at the amount of road tax that lorry owners have to pay, but I would rather get held up behind a lorry than a huge load of bales that look as if they are about to tip over at any moment.

Also, I do know where milk comes from, not that it would worry me if I did not, as I don't like milk very much.

I think I have cleared up any misunderstanding that Miss Hair has about me.

I still stand by everything I said in my letter, as I believe everything in it was true.

CAROL BURGESS

Hodge Close

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