MR QUIRKE (Letters, June 29) advocates that there was no orchestration at the evening session of the public enquiry on the Yelland Wind Farm. There were four speakers associated with national lobby groups, six employees of the Manor House Hotel, and 12 golfers; ie, over half the speakers had associations with one of the major objectors. Eleven of the speakers were attending the day sessions and could have given their evidence during the daytime sessions. I have no objections to those that spoke, other than I felt it a little disingenuous of the eleven in taking up valuable time. I felt on the whole that the anti-case was presented well, other than at times the debate was extended to public transport, air miles etc. Some of the arguments presented by the professional lobbyists were somewhat puerile. One thing that does concern me, is that one or more of the antis have been questioning my neighbours about me. Have I got a doctorate? Why if I own my own property am I for wind turbines? No I am not amongst the loony left, and I would prefer these questions put to me directly; I will not bite their heads off. For the record I do have a higher degree, I am a retired chartered engineer, with qualifications in chemical engineering, gas engineering and fuel technology. Why do I support wind energy? Simply because I was brought up with the view that we should leave this planet in a better state than we found it when we arrived. I have two groups of people to thank for this viewpoint: my parents who were born in the Birmingham slums, brought up in abject poverty, deciding that their children would not suffer their fate, and the Birmingham Gas Company, later West Midlands Gas, who sponsored me first to college and later to university. Incidentally, despite their background, both my parents and I were staunch Conservatives until the arrival of the Thatcher era. It probably had much to do with the quality of the Conservative councillors and MPs, who would fight your corner, even if they were opposed to your views. This is sadly lacking these days. One councillor refers to me as the ?trouble maker at the back of the room?, and will not accept my viewpoint. (Needless to say he did not get my vote). Ken Crawford 1 Hillcrest South Tawton
