Whatever decision is made on the future of the silver birches in Market Place, Kendal, could I make a plea to those involved to give a thought to preserving the adjacent cryptic signpost which directs interested visitors to Scafell Pike, Mount Everest, New York and Rinteln?

Often, as I wait for my better half to outwit the cash machine outside RBS, I pass the time trying to work out how New York and Rinteln can be shown in opposite directions when they are both south of Kendal. I once thought I had the answer by using the great circle airline routes via Greenland, but this proved incorrect in the end.

However, Scafell Pike and Mount Everest are indeed in opposite directions, so the signpost is not completely random. I should, therefore, like to solve it before either it or I disappear.

If it has to be moved, could it perhaps be relocated next to the No Cycling sign at the start of the Waterside cycle path? This is another conundrum which I am still working on.

Stan Harrison

Kendal