I WAS saddened to read of the death of Lady Sylvia Sayer, from whom I received a long informative letter (by return of post) in January 1993, when the great defender of Dartmoor was a lively 88.
I greatly amused one of Britain's best minds when it comes to the preservation of wild, beautiful countryside.
Subconsciously, after seeing a picture of Sylvia's pet terrier Nan on her lap, I saw the picture in terms of Meldon Dam — the opposition of which was one of Lady Sayer's most admirable and strongly fought battles — and the West Okement valley. I wrote, quote: 'Ignorance and motor cars are amongst my pet hates. Dams are too, when they are where they shouldn't be, such as on the West Okement River.'
Sylvia wrote back, quote: 'I share your "pet hates!"'
Martin McLeod
84 Station Road
Okehampton