REF: War to save woodland (BEN, Saturday, November 25).

This article may have given some readers the impression that only the 500 local members of the Lostock and Chew Moor Conservation Group care about Rumworth Lodge and the surrounding land. NOT TRUE.

Along with the local farming families -- Terry, Roberts and Scowcroft, the Royal Ashton Angling Society have been the custodians of this area for 100 years next year.

One wonders how much these pressure groups really know about the area when previous articles have quoted "that the wood is a haven for the peregrine falcon". How many members are from established local families voicing genuine concern, and how many are new commuters who, now that THEIR houses have been built, hate to see THEIR area open to further development, and the wood lost as a dog's toilet.

As anglers, we are of necessity conservationists, monitoring water quality, which in turn effects all flora and fauna around Rumworth. We have, with help from North West Water, planted trees and bushes along the bankings to encourage bird life, and the only loss of trees has been from natural causes, and the only nibbling away at the edges has been from water erosion.

As tenants, we are proud of our outstanding record and zealously guard our rights to Rumworth Lodge, and will always support efforts to guard this most beautiful of areas.

What does cause the society great concern is the amount of discarded empty beer cans and dirty drugs needles left on the embankment by juveniles and young adults. In the interest of safety and conservation, these hazardous items are removed by our bailiffs.

T F Hampson

Trustee of The Royal

Ashton Angling Society

c/o Ellesmere Road

Bolton