AS ONE year slips into another, the tone of readers’ letters barely changes. Indeed some people would say that the identity of the correspondents hardly changes.

This is not quite true.

In the 24 years this annual review has been printed, certainly some of the early correspondents are still with us, occasionally or in some cases prodigiously. Sadly some who in the early years regularly wrote to the editor are no longer with us.

The past 12 months have produced a record number of letters reaching publication – 3,919 in total. They have come from 1,487 individual readers, approximately one third of whom have been identified as female.

There has always been confusion with some names, but in July, Pat Groves kindly informed us that he was male. This is not the first time we have asked why male readers appear to have more time or inclination to reach for a pen or keyboard.

Letters came from many parts of Britain and from further afield. We have to thank Ron Willis (in Western Australia) and others in Canada and the States as well as readers on the Continent.

Our appeal for pithy letters bore fruit. In February, Peter Newton managed a five-worder and then in September one with just four words, outdoing Geoff Robb who contributed 12 words in May. At the other end of the scale, letters on serious or erudite subjects tended to be longer.

Over the years some topics have never gone away, although the long-running spat between the cycle brigade and motorists seems to be running out of steam. It has been replaced by endless pressure on Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing by Paul Cordock, John Jones and Matthew Laverack on the council’s policy on residential development and affordable property.

This was highlighted in a letter on January 5 from James Alexander as council leader promising to build affordable homes. No doubt Paul, John and Matthew will be poised to monitor this promise.

National elections always accelerate comments from the local members of Parliament, but this year they have been unusually quiet. On the other hand, Godfrey Bloom, our MEP, made the letters page on 24 occasions in addition to the regional and national papers that covered his views.

So as we moved from the old year into the new did our readers see this as a watershed? Not so, as the letters in January reflected many of the topics that moved them to comment the month before. In particular Coun Chris Steward’s view on poverty expressed last year continued to annoy.

National issues about the economy emerged with a reminder that it was not only Thatcher and the banks but Blair and Brown who must accept responsibility for the situation. Would the Tour de France bring disruption, benefits including pothole repairs, asked some correspondents.

More requests to save the buses, not to charge for green bin collection and cyclists’ rights of way helped to swell the post bag. As for the TV programme Mrs Brown’s Boys... enough said.

February produced many letters about Richard III. Should he be buried in York or Leicester? Would Westminster Abbey be a more appropriate resting place; even Gloucester seems to have a claim. Moving the location of the Galtres Festival irritated many, mostly those in the proximity of the suggested site in Rawcliffe.

Fox hunting arose again and to what extent foxes posed a threat to urban populations. The incinerator was not thought to be good value for its anticipated cost.

Into March and readers still had much to say about Richard III. Placing a cap on bankers’ bonuses was approved and there was considerable praise for York Theatre Group at Rowntrees and the amateurs performing at the Theatre Royal. Was dispensing with the services of archaeological specialists at the city council a good idea, asked some? And social housing was not far from the pens of the predictable correspondents.

Three new themes appeared this month. Should Tony Blair be indicted for war crimes? There were mixed views about the cost of improving King’s Square with the inclusion of an outdoor café.

Finally an article by Helen Mead about grammar and the use of the apostrophe in particular brought both support and ridicule. The editor said he had noted the point!

Margaret Thatcher’s funeral in April revealed her supporters and opponents, with the cost of the ceremony a cause for concern. An interesting twist on the economy was exposed with a number of letters about Britain’s old industries being on the road of self destruct.

It was encouraging to receive a letter from a Russian visitor to York reflecting on lovely memories of time spent in the city.

And then the intended closure of Lendal Bridge unleashed an avalanche of comment.

A number of issues irritated correspondents in May. Litter, sites for travellers and UKIP success in local elections were just some. Mrs Searle of Dunnington complained about litter on the 22nd and the following day thanked the people who had come to her aid after a fall. However, throughout the month two words were repeated at length – Lendal Bridge.

Actions of the council were prevalent in June comments: the absence of local plans, the reduction of historic environment specialist staff, electric buses and of course LB.

Why, asked some, do we have to be subjected to the annual exposure of naked cyclists? (The Press photographers dealt with this in a tasteful way). There was also interesting historical comment about the Lord Mayor’s Scout group celebrating its 90th anniversary.

This month marked the half way point of the year. More than 1,900 letters had been published so far with speculation about the most prolific correspondents at this juncture. Geoff Robb and J Beisley were front runners with Matthew Laverack not far behind. Would their contributions remain at this level for the remainder of the year?

The weather began to improve in July but few of our letter writers were on holiday. Why were so many children missing out on free school meals asked some? Stamp Out Poverty became an issue.

Was consultation on the Local Plan adequate, asked others? Howard Perry must have been pleased to see two of his letters printed on the 15th. The apparent lack of enforcement of traffic laws irritated and the topic of a blanket 20mph limit produced 12 letters on the 16th. The mess left by the Canada geese did not go unnoticed.

In August the national debate about fracking came to the fore and locally dismay that bowling-green charges would rise. On the 10th D McTernan announced this would be his last letter on speed limits and he would sit back and wait for the chaos. Needless to say LB was not far from people’s minds. The roadworks on Clifton Bridge prompted more fury from drivers.

By September with school holidays over readers focused their attention on Syria, overflowing litter bins and who should bear the cost of broken domestic bins. Coun Anna Semlyen said that the Saturday Sky Ride in York had been an outstanding success. A substantial number of correspondents including retailers disagreed.

Historians defended the Battle of Fulford in October, while others questioned whether there really was climate change. One reader was quick to provide statistics to prove the point. Many people, maybe present or former railway employees, expressed dismay that the current successful public ownership of East Coast might change. As for LB, the closure was catching the unaware, many of them visitors to the city. Questions were raised about the legality of the warning signs, stoutly defended by council employees.

The council came in for a hammering in November. Why was there to be a reduction in gritting, the abolition of green bin collections when the leaves were still on the trees and what was happening in King’s Square. There was a mixed reaction to the proposed start to work on the Teardrop development. Matthew Laverack needled Coun Sandy Fraser, but readers rose in numbers to defend Matthew.

And so we come to December with a substantial attack on Hilary House and Stonebow House and what should be done about them. Is biomass sustainable and how much CO2 is generated or reduced from its use. And finally the amount raised from the transgressors who dared to drive over Lendal Bridge during prohibited hours. One question asked was “will LB be free at Residents’ Weekend?” but no answer has been forthcoming.

During the course of the year Mike Usherwood wished to eliminate any doubt about the motives behind his letters. If on a serious matter they would be signed MC but if frivolous or tongue in cheek he would sign off Mike.

After an early start, the leader of the city council maintained a low profile only catching the editor’s eye on five occasions. Other councillors were not so restrained. Tracey Simpson-Laing had 26 letters published followed by Andy D’Agorne (21), Anna Semlyen (15), Keith Aspenden and Chris Steward (both 14). In all, a good political mix.

How then did the bulk of our readers fare? The majority had only one letter printed in the year although 356 saw their contributions published on two or more occasions.

Readers who feel the letters page is dominated by the same correspondents week by week, year by year will be delighted to find some new names appearing on our ‘honours board’. Although Barbara Hudson (38 letters), Pamela Frankland (25) and Heather Causnett (22) are long-established contributors, this year they have been outstripped by Mrs Robinson of Broadway who made print 49 times in the year.

Some of our male contributors were as prolific as usual, many managing more than 30 published missives including two new names to the list, David Deamer and Peter Newton. The stalwarts were Tom Scaife (31), David Deamer and Mike Usherwood (33), Dennis Barton and Christian Vassie (35), Kenneth Bowker (41), A P Cox (42), Peter Newton and Philip Roe (both 43), William Dixon Smith (44) followed by David Quarrie (51) and J Beisley (54).

Although this is likely to be my last annual survey of the letters page – a feature I believe to be unique in regional and local papers – I shall continue to watch the efforts of the many who have in some ways become friends.

In the past 12 months we have to thank Matthew Laverack, not only for his continuing criticism of the council’s housing policy but also for commenting on a wide range of issues. However, once again Geoff Robb has proved that he can write letters that appeal to our editor and congratulate him on making The Press on no less than 71 occasions.