LETTERS ROUND-UP:

Apparently this is to “save” the environment, or at least reduce the number of bags used. Who are they kidding?

Carrier bags first of all never were “free” before. You paid for them with your shopping. There is no such thing as free in this world.

And – as you can still buy as many carrier bags as you wish as long as you pay the new charge, the environment argument hardly holds up in their argument for a cleaner world.

This charge was introduced on the Continent many moons ago and has made no difference to the plastic bag contamination worldwide.

The only answer for a meaningful rubbish reduction would probably be biodegradable bags – easily produced and paid for with the new charge.

Just a thought.

Barbara Hudson, Badger Hill, York

ONCE again Matthew Laverack has hit the nail on the head (Letters, August 27).

£25,000 may be the cost of rates for Huntington Stadium but what about the revenue which has been lost? The whole community stadium saga has been a fiasco, with no end in sight.

Step back in time, Ryedale Stadium, its original name, was built by the then proposed developers of Monks Cross in a deal known as “planning gain”.

This came about due almost entirely to Ryedale District Council and the efforts of the Liberal Democrat councillors from Huntington.

Waterworld came later, built using money from the interest on the revenue the district council gained from its sale of its council houses.

In 1996, the Government, in its infinite wisdom, carved up Ryedale much against the wishes of its residents and, as a result, southern Ryedale became part of York, who in turn inherited the stadium and Waterworld.

From then on, things went downhill for the two complexes. City of York Council then decided to waste money by building a new stadium.

Huntington Stadium and Waterworld still could be refurbished and brought up to the demands of the present day at a fraction of the cost, but this would mean they would have to admit they had got it wrong, yet again.

Peter Coates, Greenshaw Drive, Haxby, York

DO we really need any more idiotic young cyclists riding (literally) all over our roads? They seem to have no idea of road safety or the use of handlebars. They are a menace.

If people are advocating cycling as a means of urban transport compulsory testing (and licensing) of cyclists could be introduced, as for other road users.

They would need to provide cycling proficiency training courses for young people, which are at present apparently unavailable in some areas.

Alexander Ogilvy, Lindsey Avenue, Acomb, York

I KNEW a lady who lived in Dringhouses who attempted to carry out her husband’s wishes and have his ashes scattered at the eighth furlong on York Racecourse (which is forbidden).

She went surreptitiously with the urn hidden inside her raincoat and, when she reached the appropriate spot, removed the lid and the wind blew the ashes into her wellingtons.

So, returning to her garden, she removed her wellingtons, tipped the ashes out and said: “Well dear, I tried my best.”

Helen Barton, Upper Dunsforth, York

A SMALL article in Health, Beauty & Wellbeing (The Press, August 24) suggested having a mobile phone in your pocket could pose a health risk.

Could this be scaremongering?

If that were the case then, with the police having portable radios strapped to their chests for long periods, and in constant use, wouldn’t we have had some results by now on their use?

The first sign I would have thought would be headaches and nausea.

My concern is the very young that are using mobile phones.

The question is how would we know that long term use is a risk?

I must thank Kate Liptrot and Maxine Gordon raising this matter in The Press.

This issue has been raised a long time ago but has anyone been doing proper in-depth research since these portable radios came into use?

Keith Chapman, Custance Walk, York

MANY thanks to Fiona Evans and the other members of the Yearsley Pool Action Group, who have worked tirelessly to keep Yearsley Swimming Pool open (Letters, August 25).

The pool has been used by people of all ages over the years, and the benefits of swimming are well known.

Thanks also must go to the Liberal Democrats for their part in helping to keep this valuable asset for the local community.

Anne Bednarski, York