IT just shows how insular certain York residents are, saying Gary Verity caused mayhem and the like by closing the city for a day, to ensure an estimated five million people throughout Yorkshire enjoyed the biggest annual sporting event on the planet.

Some camped overnight, because every hotel room was filled for miles around, some travelled miles to line the route. He has not only brought this event along with millions of pounds to the area, he has put Yorkshire firmly on the map in relation to tourism.

Yorkshire is now visited by more people than some other European countries, bringing in yet more money for business.

He is the most energetic, enthusiastic and gregarious person, and that is why he would be stunned by the decision.

He thinks of Yorkshire and not himself, unlike certain other individuals who should probably get off their backsides and do more for their community.

Alan Rowley, North Moor Estate, Huntington, York

 

WHO are these people like Mr Newton (Letters, June 17) who continually complain and moan about the work Sir Gary Verity has done organising two great events that involved our great county of Yorkshire?

Are they not Yorkshire born and bred people? Or are they just miserable people who object to anything that others enjoy?

Or are they just jealous of what has been done and they are not the recipients of such honours?

Keith Laverack MBE BEM, Field Head, Wilberfoss, York

 

RECENTLY outside the Houses of Parliament a cross party group of MPs were interviewed on television along with their trusty steeds, ie pedal cycles, promoting National Cycling Week and attired accordingly.

However, it was noticeable that a majority were not wearing or in possession of a cycle safety helmet and by their standards should be setting an example.

Withstanding that a cycling helmet is not mandatory by law, health and safety must be a key factor to prevent serious injuries to the head, be it with another vehicle or other misfortune.

The question is should pedal cyclists be covered by insurance?

After all, the offence of careless, reckless or dangerous driving also applies to riding a cycle, and is not only reserved for motor vehicle owners, especially when damage and/or injury is caused.

Kenneth Bowker, Vesper Walk, Huntington, York

 

“EXTINCT within a generation” states a previous Archbishop of Canterbury. Potentially a devastating outcome awaits the Church of England.

No organisation can survive without members, attendances at church services over the last decade have slumped dramatically.

What are the church leaders doing to address this acute dilemma? Publicly it would appear very little, the men in charge at Canterbury and York give no indication how the church is to have any significant influence on the lives of the majority of people, to the degree that the church will again be considered by many to be a necessary ingredient in their lives.

Peter Rickaby, West Park, Selby Riders need to be aware of others WITH reference to Paul Hepworth’s letter “Cars are vastly more lethal than bicycles” (June 16), as a pedestrian who does not text or blather on a mobile while walking I have more time to watch what is happening.

There are pedestrians who do text and blather, but I think the number of young cyclists who ride along the road or on the path, one hand or sometimes neither on the handle bar and rabbiting on the mobile are just as bad.

Maureen Robinson, Broadway, York

 

WALKING upstream from the Monkgate roundabout by the side of the River Foss as far as Huntington, I feel I must compliment City of York Council and Yorkshire Water for the fantastic way they have cleared the overhanging trees and bushes, and trimming the the grass and brambles back from the footpaths, opening the riverside walk up to all and sundry.

The only section not cleared fully is a section near the rear of Yearsley Swimming Pool (belonging to City of York Council) and only 100 metres long.

On the minus side, I have noticed that there are only three geese with young, only one duck with ducklings, only a few water hens and there don’t seem to be any coots at all, and they were prolific a few years ago.

I suppose by removing the natural cover, the birds have fewer places to hide and nest. Can’t do right for doing wrong.

D M Deamer, Penleys Grove Street, Monkgate, York