WHEN is a pavement not a pavement? That was the question demanded by councillors at the discovery that the word "non-pavement" has entered the planners' dictionary.

The explanation was requested by Coun Shirley Fawcett of Harrogate Borough Council planning committee on behalf of colleagues when she heard the description for the first time at a meeting this week.

"Please tell us just what it is. I have never heard of such a thing," she said. Other councillors also looked puzzled.

Planning officer Mike Warden had used the phrase to describe part of a development at Ripon near the planned £15m West of Market Place project which includes shopping, housing and parking for 180 vehicles.

A non-pavement, he explained, was an area of land initially earmarked as a traditional pavement but to discourage pedestrians it was covered in cobbles.

In this case, a narrow pedestrian area would be too close to a link road leading to the multi-million pound project.

Spectator will endeavour to stay well clear of such other-worldly concepts.

Lost perspectives

AS THE debate rages on over Tesco's proposals for the Feethams area of Darlington, fuelled by disillusion over the council's delayed, over budget and largely unloved Pedestrian Heart and a feeling in some quarters that public opinion has no weight, one of Spectator's colleagues feels paranoia creeping in.

On a beautiful sunny day last year, when the flower tubs were at their best, she photographed High Row as it was, from many angles. Some months later, and on the same film, she also took the remodelling work from various points. That is the film the processor has lost, despite having dealt with the family's films without a single problem for more than 20 years.

Fond farewell

What must have been one of the biggest funerals to be held in Bedale in recent years took place on Wednesday, as the family, friends and wider community packed St Gregory's to overflowing - standing room only - to say farewell to Paul Megson, the former Emgate butcher who died last week.

Spectator was privileged to know Mr Megson through his stalwart service to the Northallerton and District Butchers' Association. Although a full obituary will appear in these pages shortly, it seems appropriate to pay tribute this week to a true Bedale community servant and a man of the Dales.

He will be much missed in the town and the wider butchery and countryside community.