WHERE have all the river fishermen gone?

You know the ones I mean, the ones that cared for the state of the river banks. The ones that cared about the wildlife and riverside. The ones who took all the rubbish home with them.

A walk down the Foss and all you see is discarded packaging from rods and other equipment, discarded fishing line (dangerous to all wildlife), potholes where they dig for worms, discarded drink cans scattered along the banks and in the river.

They lug heavy cans down and can’t be bothered to carry the light empty cans away with them.

They have no appreciation for the environment.

DM Deamer, Penleys Grove Street, Monkgate, York

 

I AM sorry that some people think I criticise women more than I should, but the ones I feel so very strongly about are those who neglect their children and I wonder why they have them in the first place.

Children can arrive at school for the first time with no toilet training, so teachers have to start on these basics before even thinking about education.

Some mothers do not teach the rudiments of teeth-cleaning or hygiene and I feel that these matters should be rudimentary. And I do know what I am talking about because I have several friends who are teachers and their stories would have to be read to be believed.

While the vast majority of mothers are good, loving and teach their children how they should look after themselves, there are far too many who neglect these vital matters. Meanwhile, the children miss out on so much.

If this sounds as if I am a woman-hater, believe me, that is certainly not true, but I feel so strongly that ALL children should be knowledgeable about the basics.

ALL mothers should be prepared to do ALL that is necessary to do their job of child-rearing properly.

Heather Causnett, Escrick Park Gardens, Escrick, York

 

SO now the fountain area in Parliament Street is in danger of being demolished (The Press, July 3).

Even though it hasn’t been working for some time, it is still a focal point in the city.

To demolish it completely would surely be a travesty and what would be put in its place?

I think if the council and the other interested parties put their heads together they could maybe come up with an idea that still appeals to tourists and residents.

How about a statue of Richard III? He was the king of the city, so history and architecture together.

Or Amy Johnson, depicting the history of the soon to be demolished old Reynards garage, which was also an aviation factory.

It’s just a thought but maybe the council should put ideas to the residents of York. After all they are supposed to represent us.

S McClaren, Boroughbridge Road, York

 

I ENJOYED reading Matt Clark’s colour spread about signalling on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (The Press, July 13).

I am a family life member and as Matt said, it is a “marvel of Victorian engineering” in great countryside.

But the fact box at the foot of the page was misleading.

The volunteer-owned railway “terminates at Grosmont”, yes, BUT the volunteers then run the train service further – over Network Rail lines through into Whitby, where the second platform was reinstated last year.

So the original Victorian plan lives again.

Margaret Scott, New Walk Terrace, York

 

LIKE Phil Fowler (Letters, July 8), I too remember picnics by the river at Poppleton.

It was full of families having a day out before everyone had cars.

One grown up member of our group swam across the river regularly, while we children paddled on the bank.

As he says, there were never any incidents.

The bank would be packed with people enjoying themselves.

I also wonder if anyone remembers rivers trips to Nun Monkton on the River King. That was another lovely day out for us.

M Ellis, Redcoat Way, Acomb, York

 

WHAT a pity that the Welsh seagull who pooed on our beloved Blowers cannot be traced and rewarded for accuracy.

Henry would have enjoyed watching him/her gorge on a whole chocolate cake.

If the above had happened to an Australian commentator, however, he’d have turned the airwaves blue and demanded all seagulls be shot on sight.

Henry Blofeld is the last of the great cricket commentators.

No else seems capable of learning from him or from the great and continually lamented Christopher Martin-Jenkins.

CM-J might well have applauded that seagull.

While the Aussies are even scared of sparrows.

Ron Willis, First Avenue, Mount Lawley, Perth, Western Australia