I FEEL I cannot let N Green’s letter criticising the music played at St Sampson’s Centre go without a reply.

As a pianist (not a keyboard player) I entertained at many elderly people’s functions and found that the old songs which he strongly criticises were the ones mostly requested.

People liked to sing along with these good melodies and intelligible lyrics.

I mean, who can join in to The Rolling Stones or for that matter most of The Beatles’ songs?

And to describe the songs of forces favourite Vera Lynn as “mawkish” is nothing short of sacrilege.

No. Let’s leave things as they are please.

Dennis Bradley (aged 92), New Earswick, York