JUST what damage are people trying to do to York's historic reputation and heritage?

It's been bad enough recently with people originally wanting to erect some monstrous "big wheel" near one of our most historic landmarks; and the ongoing battle to oppose the granting of late licences to the Barbican Centre, which would clearly have an extremely adverse effect on many nearby residential neighbours.

But things are now deteriorating to an all-time low in York, with the recent announcement of scantily clad girls dancing on bar tops in a city-centre pub; and now inane plans to offer a "mobile peep-show" in the form of a female lap-dancing service in the back of limousines during Royal Ascot week for £1,000 per ride!

Not only does this demean and cheapen the whole experience of "Royal" Ascot in York, where many local people and businesses have put hours of hard work into creating a high-profile and classy event for everybody to enjoy; but it also raises the longstanding issues of equality and exploitation that are all too commonplace in our world today.

This is a clear demonstration that the "Castlemaine XXXX syndrome" is alive and well, as ever, where all the gents have a truckload of beer for their own pleasure, and one single bottle of sherry has to suffice all the women.

After all girls - do we have any men dressed in next to nothing dancing on bar tops for us? Would we ever be offered a service of male lap-dancers in limousines?

We've come such a long way with equality haven't we?

So watch out ladies - if your husband or boyfriend has a spare £1,000 in his pocket during Ascot week; he may well be on the road to being taken for a ride!

V A Windass,

Willis Street,

York.

Updated: 11:04 Monday, June 13, 2005