I READ with interest the articles "In the line of fire" (The Press, July 13) and "Danger zone" (July 16).

As a resident of Strensall for some 20 years and occasional user of the ranges as a civilian target shooter, I have every sympathy with Major Paddy Ennis and his concern over incursions into the safety area by dog walkers and others when live firing is taking place.

Everyone who lives in Strensall realises that live ammunition is being fired and that the range boundary is set according to the safety parameters agreed by those who are competent to judge.

Mr Coates is not competent to judge in these matters. In any case, a large area of the common outside the range boundary is open at all times to the public, whether firing is taking place or not.

If Mr Coates wishes to exercise his two handsome dogs in this area, he is perfectly at liberty to do so. He should be aware, however, that Strensall Common is one of the last areas of lowland heath left in the country and that parts of it are an SSSI and that, paradoxically, the presence of the military guarantees that these areas are not disturbed continually by those who wish to exercise their pooches.

What Major Ennis fears, with some justification, is an "incident" - a coming together of circumstances so remote as to defy logic, but covered by that good old Anglo Saxon term "Sod's Law".

If this were to result in a hit on Mr Coates or another like him, just imagine what a blame-fest there would be. Ambulance-chasing lawyers would parachute in. The media would go into hyper-scream. Military training would be suspended and our lads, who need to know how to shoot, given our dispositions in Iraq and Afghan-istan, would be denied proper training.

Ian Waghorn, Strensall, York.


* PETER Coates is objecting to the Army's proposal to fence off the firing ranges on Strensall Common. I have found in my dealings with the Army that they go to great lengths to avoid upsetting the public.

I understand that they are considering this fence because walkers have been wandering on to the ranges while firing has been taking place, and so putting themselves in danger.

I consider that the most important training a soldier can be given is in the use of his own personal weapon and to interrupt this is an act of extreme selfishness.

However, to appreciate Mr Coates's point of view, perhaps there are ancient rights of way across the ranges, but to enforce them while live firing is taking place is just stupid.

And I'm sure that it will be a comfort to our soldiers to know that he is protecting his rights when they are being out shot by some terrorist armed with a worn- out AK. Also, I hope the people of Strensall will appreciate that Mr Coates has, by his own admission, contributed 40 years of dog muck to their common.

Jeremy D Fox, Malton Avenue, York.