PARISH leaders in Ryedale have hit back at claims by the Government's Countryside Agency that many communities are either 'sleeping' or 'barely active'.

The agency - Whitehall's voice in the English countryside - had listed dozens of Ryedale communities in these categories following a survey it said it had carried out among parish councils.

But it was revealed this week that councils which did not respond to the survey were automatically labelled as 'sleeping' - and only about 6pc of parishes nationally responded.

Coun John Goodwill, chairman of the parish council at Terrington, which was described as 'barely active' in the CA report, said: "I would describe it as a key village, supporting any number of activities, probably more than some of the local towns can boast."

As well as a thriving village hall, Terrington has a large number of organisations ranging from sport clubs to a wine society, and a gardening club to a multi-skill crafts group.

Coun Goodwill said it also had a well-supported pub in The Bay Horse, an active parish council and a well-stocked village shop and post office.

"Terrington is an exceptionally vibrant community with a great many dedicated and hard-working residents," he said.

Lord Feversham, chairman of Helmsley Town Council, said he was concerned that a report which appeared to be "incompetent" had been produced to give advice to Government ministers. Helmsley, he added, which had not appeared in any of the listed ratings, was a thriving market town.

Lord Feversham - a former president of the National Local Councils Association - said national politicians seemed "absolutely baffled" that there were often no elections in parish councils. "But much more is achieved in rural areas by consensus in the community and not through party politics."

Civil servants, he believed, had difficulty dealing with the 10,000 parish councils nationwide and added that the listing of Norton as barely active probably referred to one of a dozen places with the same name.

At Ebberston and Yedingham, parish council chairman Daphne Vasey said: "We object strenuously to the inclusion of our council under those listed as barely active. In fact we are very active."

She added that Ebberston was a key player in the Pickering Area Partnership and the village was now about to start on carrying out an appraisal of its facilities and amenities, while Yedingham has just completed a major refurbishment of its village hall which is used some 30 times monthly for classes and by local organisations.

County Coun Murray Naylor, whose ward covers a wide area of Ryedale, said: "While the intention to help rural communities by exposing the problems they face may have been well-intentioned, lack of consultation and appalling presentation have done nothing but anger those who are striving to help their communities."

He added: "The truth is that rural communities and their motivation have never been under greater threat." Daily life for some, added Coun Naylor, was "quite simply a battle for survival".

The town mayor of Norton-on-Derwent, Coun Keith Mennell, was also critical of the Countryside Agency's report. "Norton has a large number of organisations and clubs. We would like to see a bank, which I think could help existing and potential businesses in the town, because we do want to see our empty shops brought back to use. But to describe the town as barely active is a nonsense."

Lorraine Johnson, clerk to Rosedale East and West parish council, said the popular tourist spot of Rosedale Abbey had two hotels, a bistro, coffee shop, tea rooms and information centre as well as a general store.

"I think the Countryside Agency should have been more tactful because no village in the area was busy last year because of foot and mouth disease and Rosedale Show, like all others, had to be cancelled."

Isobel Coy, head of communications for the Countryside Agency at its London headquarters said it did not publish the results of its data. The report was merely "a vibrancy indicator" in terms of looking at a broader picture.

The findings could be used to win funding for the future to help rural communities, she said. "The report had nothing to do with codes of conduct or quality parish councils as some people seemed to believe," she added.

Letters special, p4.PARISH leaders in Ryedale have hit back at claims by the Government's Countryside Agency that many communities are either 'sleeping' or 'barely active'.

The agency - Whitehall's voice in the English countryside - had listed dozens of Ryedale communities in these categories following a survey it said it had carried out among parish councils.

But it was revealed this week that councils which did not respond to the survey were automatically labelled as 'sleeping' - and only about 6pc of parishes nationally responded.

Coun John Goodwill, chairman of the parish council at Terrington, which was described as 'barely active' in the CA report, said: "I would describe it as a key village, supporting any number of activities, probably more than some of the local towns can boast."

As well as a thriving village hall, Terrington has a large number of organisations ranging from sport clubs to a wine society, and a gardening club to a multi-skill crafts group.

Coun Goodwill said it also had a well-supported pub in The Bay Horse, an active parish council and a well-stocked village shop and post office.

"Terrington is an exceptionally vibrant community with a great many dedicated and hard-working residents," he said.

Lord Feversham, chairman of Helmsley Town Council, said he was concerned that a report which appeared to be "incompetent" had been produced to give advice to Government ministers. Helmsley, he added, which had not appeared in any of the listed ratings, was a thriving market town.

Lord Feversham - a former president of the National Local Councils Association - said national politicians seemed "absolutely baffled" that there were often no elections in parish councils. "But much more is achieved in rural areas by consensus in the community and not through party politics."

Civil servants, he believed, had difficulty dealing with the 10,000 parish councils nationwide and added that the listing of Norton as barely active probably referred to one of a dozen places with the same name.

At Ebberston and Yedingham, parish council chairman Daphne Vasey said: "We object strenuously to the inclusion of our council under those listed as barely active. In fact we are very active."

She added that Ebberston was a key player in the Pickering Area Partnership and the village was now about to start on carrying out an appraisal of its facilities and amenities, while Yedingham has just completed a major refurbishment of its village hall which is used some 30 times monthly for classes and by local organisations.

County Coun Murray Naylor, whose ward covers a wide area of Ryedale, said: "While the intention to help rural communities by exposing the problems they face may have been well-intentioned, lack of consultation and appalling presentation have done nothing but anger those who are striving to help their communities."

He added: "The truth is that rural communities and their motivation have never been under greater threat." Daily life for some, added Coun Naylor, was "quite simply a battle for survival".

The town mayor of Norton-on-Derwent, Coun Keith Mennell, was also critical of the Countryside Agency's report. "Norton has a large number of organisations and clubs. We would like to see a bank, which I think could help existing and potential businesses in the town, because we do want to see our empty shops brought back to use. But to describe the town as barely active is a nonsense."

Lorraine Johnson, clerk to Rosedale East and West parish council, said the popular tourist spot of Rosedale Abbey had two hotels, a bistro, coffee shop, tea rooms and information centre as well as a general store.

"I think the Countryside Agency should have been more tactful because no village in the area was busy last year because of foot and mouth disease and Rosedale Show, like all others, had to be cancelled."

Isobel Coy, head of communications for the Countryside Agency at its London headquarters said it did not publish the results of its data. The report was merely "a vibrancy indicator" in terms of looking at a broader picture.

The findings could be used to win funding for the future to help rural communities, she said. "The report had nothing to do with codes of conduct or quality parish councils as some people seemed to believe," she added.

Letters special, p4.

Updated: 10:58 Thursday, March 28, 2002