SO will the council take note on what the public say on the future of the fountain? (The Press, July 4) Doubt it.

When I was a lad, we used to meet under the clock.

Now it’s the fountain but, more importantly, it is somewhere for residents and tourists to sit down, although a tad uncomfortably as it’s narrow.

So hopefully as all the other seating is taken out when “markets” come to town, the council will put in some permanent seating for all visitors to use all the time and not leave it for festival organisers to use.

There is enough space at either end of Parliament Street for that.

Dave Matthewman, Green Lane, Acomb, York

 

IT cost good money to install the Parliament Street fountain which, although dry, still functions as a focal point, a meeting place and a seating area.

Rather than waste this taxpayer funded asset, it would be better to turn it into a plinth for a statue or work of art.

A competition could be held to gain international publicity to boost visitor numbers to the city.

Another possibility is to make it a base for a market cross and bring the market back to where everyone wants it.

The festivals and street performers can then make use of the failed market area behind The Shambles.

Matthew Laverack, Lord Mayors Walk, York

 

WOULDN’T it be wonderful if the fountain in Parliament Street was replaced with a bandstand?

We have some fantastic brass bands in York. They could showcase their talents and we could invite other brass bands to come and play in our beautiful city.

It could also be used by other types of bands/performers. I think it would add a new dimension to the city and be an added attraction for everyone.

Victoria Dibbs, Lavender Grove, York

 

HOW tragically ironic that the gunman who murdered 30 British tourists in Tunisia should have been trained in Libya, probably in Sirte, Colonel Gaddafi’s home town, destroyed by the RAF in 2011 – despite the defeat of Gaddafi being inevitable – with death toll estimates between 500 and 5,000.

The British Government’s hypocritical pretext for the bombing campaign was it was to support the freedom fighters and save civilian lives.

By October 2011, the population of Sirte was trapped and unable to defend themselves and, surprise, surprise, this city is now an ISIL stronghold.

David Cameron entered Tripoli like a saviour bringing liberty to a welcoming country. In reality, reckless and naive, thinking he could bomb a country into democracy and freedom.

Total deaths in the Libya war are estimated at 20,000 to 50,000.

Post-war the violence has continued unabated.

The ripples from these actions are now reaching us, as seen in Tunisia, and the flood of refugees using Libya as a staging post to Europe.

The Cameron Government was lucky the opposition and, in general, the media supported the attack on the Gaddafi regime, and they have not suffered the reaction Tony Blair received after the Iraq debacle.

They had seen the consequences of toppling the Hussein regime, but still acted with pumped up arrogance: “We know what’s best for the Arab world”. They didn’t, and they don’t now.

Mike Race, York

 

THERE were three of us. The smartly kitted-out cyclist sprinting up the left hand lane, the driver following him, and me, driving placidly in the right hand lane, all moving towards the crossing lights in Tower Street.

The lights changed from green, through amber to red. We all slowed. The cyclist, seized by a sudden whim, suddenly turned sharp right without signalling.

The driver behind him braked sharply and sounded his horn. I braked sharply too, but contented myself with that sufficient manoeuvre.

The cyclist, having reached safety stopped and turned, glared at me angrily and gestured his outrage and defiance. I had unwittingly become embroiled in a road-pique confrontation.

The last time I sounded my horn was towards the end of the last century when I inadvertently struck the horn button with my elbow while reversing.

The moral is: if you’ve got a case negotiate, or call the police and your insurer. Otherwise simply write a petulant letter to The Press.

William Dixon Smith, Welland Rise, Acomb, York

 

THERE is a worrying trend among employers, both local and national, whereby they expect employees to begin work 15 minutes before the start of their normal working day.

The employees receive neither financial recompense nor time in lieu for the time given.

Over the period of a year this amounts to a lot of time given by an employee for free.

Perhaps it is time for an employee and/or a union to bring a test case against such employers.

Dr John Wilson, St Swithins Walk, York