For a long time I had the job (see under self-inflicted injury) of finding land for off-road club competition so I know how hard it is though we did pay quite well. A well-written letter such as these can be read at a time to suit the recipient and receive more consideration as a consequence. Whenever I visited potential premises I'd take some hacksaw blades ( British made seconds, usually. Always scrounged from a scrapyard ) and when the landowner accompanied me to my car, ask if he'd got a hacksaw. Of course they always had, so I'd ask if they could make use of these, proferring a handful of blades, warning them that they were of variable quality. That way I left them with a smile on their faces and a reminder of what a nice ( if devious ) chap I am.

I know it's expense but why not enclose an SAE or postcard. They're always appreciated and subliminally say that you're not taking the recipient for granted.

Good luck to you all, Mick