PETER STANHOPE isn’t the only one who remembers the Willow from way back (Letters, July 27).

I was about ten when my granny came from Dublin to live with us.

She liked coming into York occasionally and I would come with her.

This went on for a number of years and the highlight was afternoon tea at the Willow.

It was so elegant.

Being shown to our table by waitresses in smart black and white uniforms.

Small sandwiches, a pot of tea with matching crockery, scone with jam and cream and a tiered plate from which we could select a cake or two.

That was in the early 1960s.

Later, I went when it was a Chinese restaurant where we could eat our meals and have a dance afterwards. All good food and fun.

Janet S Kitchen-Cooper, Ashley Park Road, York

 

ENGLAND lost the second Test to Australia at Lord’s by 405 runs with the England batsmen taking the brunt of the criticism.

No-one needs a degree in maths to work out that the Australian bowlers took 20 England wickets compared to England’s bowlers’ ten wickets.

If England have a chance to win the Ashes they need to dismiss the Australians twice in the three remaining Tests in each match.

By a coincidence July 22 was the 20th anniversary of the death of Harold Larwood.

Harold will be forever remembered for his pivotal role in England winning the infamous Body Line Tour 4-1 with Harold claiming 33 wickets at an average of 19 against the greatest batsman the world has ever seen Sir Donald Bradman.

Sadly Harold never played for England again after the 1932/33 tour.

Will the Australian cricket authorities treat Mitchell Johnson in the same shameful and disgusting way as the England powers that be treated Harold?

In my opinion both bowlers were bowling in an intimidating fashion to dismiss the opposition and win the Ashes.

Mike Kitching, Old Malton

 

I RECENTLY purchased a new York Card and was amazed to learn it now costs £5 – up by £2 since last year, an increase of a whopping 60 per cent in these days of almost zero inflation.

Daylight robbery I call it, but was assured it still represents “value for money”, allowing free entry to the Yorkshire Museum and the Castle Museum.

Shock and horror therefore when I read The Press (July 22) informing me that free admission there may also end.

We already know it will cost York citizens £7.50 to visit York Art Gallery, so where does the benefit of a York Card come in?

It now seems to be a useless document, leaving open the question, what am I actually paying £5 for?

York Card still value for money? I think not.

Barbara Hudson, Badger Hill, York

 

WELL said G P Rowe (Letters, July 25).

Your letter represents the experiences of many families during the 1950s, including mine.

Yes, cutbacks are an inevitable consequence of overspending and greed, which seem to have become the norm.

Families had to live within their means during the harsh years of post-war austerity.

The “Must Have Now” society must learn to take responsibility for its own lifestyle and pay its own way.

J Bardet, York

 

I HAVE often disagreed with your regular correspondent David Quarrie, but I wholeheartedly concur with his view (Letters, July 22) that the UK can learn from Germany, where he has enjoyed his recent holiday.

It’s difficult to know where to start, but I would suggest the following list: A stable, devolved political system in which regions and municipalities enjoy real political and economic power, contrasting with the over-centralisation we endure even after the creation of Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish assemblies.

A fairer electoral system that does not overrule voters for smaller parties: think of our disenfranchised Greens, Ukippers and Liberals.

A finance system that serves the economy, rather than, as we have it, the other way around.

Less extreme wealth and poverty.

A requirement that all large enterprises include employees and local representatives on their boards – recognising that people other than share-holders have a real, long term stake in the future of their businesses.

A saner property market.

Fewer people find it necessary to buy, and tenants benefit from rent controls and greater security of tenure than in the UK.

An efficient, publicly-owned railway system.

How has it come about that in our country, sensible measures like these have come to be regarded as wildly unrealistic, even left wing?

Chris Walker-Lyne, Millfield Road, York

 

IT came as no surprise to me to be reading a letter from Paul Hepworth regarding the Coppergate signage issue (Letters, July 24).

What was also unsurprising was the lack of his recent mantra of “loophole lawyers”.

While he concentrated his letter on the design details, he made no mention of the means of avoidance used by the previous administration to deflect any public inquiry.

Could this be because of his support for that administration and letters discouraging any criticism of their actions as previously published on these pages?

It seems loopholes are okay when it suits.

Peter Elliott, Wetherby Road, York