HANDS up, all those of us who believed the political propaganda about a “northern powerhouse”.

Not many I suspect.

Of course, we all know that London is the centre of the universe, despite the dirt and rubbish on the streets and rough sleepers in doorways.

Even Chris Moncrieff in The Press (June 24) said that of course Parliament must stay in London while the crumbling edifice of the Houses of Parliament is repaired.

We only had to see the bemused face of the MP who denounced the “inane” idea that Parliament might be moved further north, to understand that our politicians need to breathe the rarefied London air to survive.

Perhaps that is why they consider they deserve a 10 per cent pay rise when the rest of us have to survive on one or two per cent in this age of austerity.

Should the unthinkable happen, I wonder if our £43 million state of the art council offices might be considered suitable.

I am sure our councillors would be happy to move out and make way for our revered leaders.

Pamela Brown, Goodwood Grove, York

 

ROLL on the in-out referendum on the European Union. My vote will a resounding “out”!

I love Europe and its people, but the EU is a straight-jacket. The politicians love it because they are all on the gravy train.

Greece will kick-start the beginning of the end this week with the collapse of their banks and possible exit. Their only hope is to leave and bring back the drachma.

How have the EU and IMF ended up irresponsibly handing over 250 billion euros over the years to various reckless corrupt, profligate Greek governments?

Now the French are holding our country to ransom with strikers blockading Calais, ruining holidays and trade as migrants intimidate drivers while the French authorities stand by impotently – and the Mayor of Calais has the temerity to blame us.

When we joined the EEC in 1973 under Prime Minister Ted Heath, it was an economic community, not a federal political bureaucracy. The first thing that happened was the British fishing fleet was wiped out.

This Europe is dead. It has fallen off its perch.

Keith Massey, Bishopthorpe, York

PS Ironically, my keyboard and computer will not allow me to print the euro symbol!

 

PRAISE and congratulations are rightly due to Jeremy and Vivien Cassel for the wonderful job they have done at Bootham Grange over the last 25 years, creating a fine hotel, boosting the local economy and providing local employment (The Press, July 1).

However, credit should also be given to Tim Hetherton for it was his initiative that allowed it all to happen in the first place.

He was the one who acquired a controlling interest in the dilapidated sub-divided building and bought out the various leaseholders.

He was the one who fought the council’s determination to see the property remain a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) and it was he who stood up to unreasonable legal notices under the Housing Acts.

Most importantly, it was Tim who commissioned this firm of architects to draw up plans for hotel use and to fight the planning appeal which was eventually allowed in May 1988.

Matthew Laverack, Senior partner, Laverack Associates Architects, Lord Mayors Walk, York

 

DURING the recent General Election I wrote to The Press regarding all the promises the Tories were making, one of which was all the money they were promising to spend on upgrading the railways.

I warned the electorate that these promises would prove to be false and that the promises would be broken.

Here we are only seven weeks after the election and my early warnings to the electorate have proved to be correct.

The Tories promises the upgrade in their manifesto and must have known at the time that it wasn’t going to happen.

Howard Perry, St James Place, Dringhouses, York

 

YORK City Foundation, the charitable arm of York City Football Club, have been running free taster sessions and coaching courses in walking football for the over-50s in recent months.

Having attended these courses, I now wish to bring this great fun sport for the over-50s to the attention of an even wider audience across the city.

Though the sport is in its infancy, there are already over 400 registered active venues up and down the country.

The game’s rapid expansion is offering thousands of over-50s men and women much valued health and social benefits.

The competitive element is also growing with leagues, festivals, and cup competitions attracting significant interest.

For some this may be an opportunity to play a game you love and thought you would never play again competitively.

For others, simply a new fun way to keep fit and meet new people in a non-competitive structure.

For an information pack and/or to express an interest in playing either as an individual or as a team please email me at gornerjohn@gmail.com

John A Gorner, Boroughbridge Road, York