HOLGATIAN David Lodge had a greater developed sense of place than anyone I have ever met.

As Paul Hepworth reminds us (Letters, May 20), it was David who had the council erect the Holgate signs.

I think he would have preferred “You are now entering free Holgate”, but you can’t have everything.

Any estate agent who thoughtlessly advertised a Holgate property as “in Acomb” would soon receive a forceful corrective letter from David.

This geographical exactitude might have seemed eccentric in our make-do, careless world, but for his unfailing courtesy and wry sense of humour.

His passion for accuracy was not, however, bounded by Holgate’s culverted Beck.

It was he who challenged the council in court, fighting to retain Acomb Landing against the encroachment on to this historic site.

Because of David’s determination it still exists, though woefully overgrown and deprived of its original paving.

Some years ago, I pleaded with the council to erect a sign to mark the site and commemorate David’s single-handed victory.

Any brave soul prepared to wade through waist high weeds will find the sign today, but not the commemoration.

I dare say the biblical Philistines would have done the same.

William Dixon Smith, Welland Rise, Acomb, York.