I AM writing in reply to last week's letter Hunts require image change.

I cannot see how you can disagree with me that hunting is not an elitist sport, when I have proved the point that it is not. If it was elitist I would not have been able to participate. However, I do agree that maybe it is this image which needs changing and that there are a few people who go hunting who believe they are better than others.

I was merely trying to point out that all sorts of people go hunting. I know of two nurses, a dinner lady and a vets' receptionist who hunt, all of whom are lovely people in work and leisure. The hunters who are rude or ignorant are few and far between and may be like that whether they are hunting or not.

I think you will find this in all walks of life from cleaners to doctors, and all professions in between. Every time I have encountered the hunt they have been courteous and thanked me for waiting (not as a follower, just driving through), and a smile or a wave, on both sides, can go a long way.

But you also have to consider that some people are not very polite to the hunters, and if I was confronted by 'drivers' complaints' which I bet were not exactly friendly, I would probably find it difficult to be nice to them too, even though i am a very laid-back person. If you were held up by a cycle race on the road, would you beep your horns and shout at the participants?

Maybe we are in a vicious circle now where hunters expect to be abused, so have no patience when faced with irate drivers trying to pass, and motorists who imagine they will be shouted at, or blocked because of the perceived image, get cross with the hunters.

Perhaps we could all do more to narrow the divide by being more tolerant and learning more about each other. Maybe hunt kennels should have more open days aimed at the non-hunting community to give them a chance to see what they do, to air their grievances or get more information.

W LEAHY Hillcrest, Stoodleigh