SIR — Swaling! I understand (or try to!) why they do this but why be so indiscriminate? What has been done to the beautiful area of Bats Castle in the name of conservation over recent months borders on sacrilege. I have been walking with Alfie (woof!) three or four times a week over the last two years, up there between Dunster and Withycombe Gate and the beautiful surrounding countryside, to enjoy the views and the tranquility of this special place, and seen it in all seasons and weathers. The glades of silver birch with each branch and twig covered in hoar frost; an area of young fir-trees is a joy; a large bush of bright gorse enhances the view towards Blue Anchor Bay; gorgeous holly bushes in autumn furnish the view towards Dunkery Beacon; a young oak proudly stands alone making its own addition to the scenic variety to be had up there. Today, no more silver birch glade with its soft green in spring, and golden yellow in autumn - just black, charred spikes. The same goes for the fir trees - scarred skeletons. The holly bushes have either been burned to the ground or grossly singed on one side, and the young oak is much the same - it would be kinder to cut it down. One particular sadness is the area of blackthorn (unfortunate name considering this topic) which in past springs was always a froth of white blossom and is now another glade of black stumps and brushwood - no more bullfinches there anymore. Much of this place looks like a picture of a World War One battlefield. If this swaling thing has to be done, cannot those who go swishing their flames and smoke about do so with more discrimination? Much of Bats Castle is open moorland. Why destroy the trees and bushes too? They are the "sculpture", for want of a better word, which gives the area its identity. All we have now is charred, black, flat plain - much of what has been destroyed will never be seen again. Swaling also seems to be done far too late in the spring and quite obviously gets out of control at times. In the name of conservation can we forget swaling, or get someone to carry it out with much more respect for Nature - in all its forms? Ros Robinson, Lydeard St Lawrence.