Avid letter reader Graeme Robertson presents his annual round-up of who's written to the Evening Press during the past year.

JUST as Professor Parkinson determined that work would expand to fill the time available, so the number of letters submitted and printed in the Evening Press has expanded.

Since the paper changed to its compact format, two pages are devoted to readers' letters.

This has increased significantly the number of readers whose letters are printed. It has also produced more letters from our most prolific correspondents.

Each year we marvel at the diversity of topics that spark readers to grab a pen. Some tackle national issues, many voice opinions on local matters and, occasionally, a letter is not related to anything in particular.

There have been regular letters of thanks from charities and people who have been helped by unknown members of the public. A growing number of local government officers have written to justify or amplify policies (in particular Peter Eveley, who wrote 15 times).

Contributions were not confined to York. Letters appeared from all over the world commenting on aspects of a visit to York or, perhaps, as a result of checking our web site. We have two regulars based in Hartlepool and Birmingham.

Sadly one or two faithful correspondents have died, but they have been replaced by a growing band of new names.

Readers began last year just as they had ended the previous one - complaining about cyclists without lights, riding on pavements or ignoring traffic lights.

In January graffiti was also an issue. "Whose tag was DM?" someone asked but we didn't find out. On January 12, A Dobinson, W Elliott and Jason Mason had their second letters of the year published. There was considerable support for Keith Turner who was charged with assaulting someone vandalising his property. And there were the parking charges.

By February, the future of the Odeon was foremost in many people's minds. Fury was now the only word to describe the parking charges.

Would these charges kill the city centre? Rescheduled mail services were disliked and someone thought calls to the police would be at premium rates (not the case). On January 21, B R Lawson scored a first with letters on both the features and sports pages.

In March the council came under fire. First over the tax rise and then with the cry "hands off the Barbican". There were controversial letters about foreigners in York, asylum seekers and the activities of the British National Party. This was also the month when councillors were blaming, or defending, the previous administration.

Reductions in choir and theatre attendances and fewer eaters-out were blamed on the parking charges. Also in April, the cycling lobby fought back against the persecution of its fraternity.

The city was saddened by the news of Terry's closure and readers were quick to suggest alternative uses for the factory site.

In May, market traders were incensed to be accused of selling shoddy goods. On May 9, ten correspondents bemoaned York City's departure from the Football League. Development plans for Derwenthorpe, Heslington and St Barnabas School all came under fire. Someone asked where the village green was in the Leeman Road area.

On May 19, Gilbert and Sullivan would have been delighted to spot letters from a Box and Cox!

Although 22 Smiths managed to secure publication during the year, on June 3 letters from three of the 19 Jones appeared on the same page. Are they related?

This month saw support for the proposed change to compact format, requests that we don't feed the pigeons and whether Heslington Lane should have a rising bollard. A victim of an armed raid praised the police for their action. David Quarrie reflected on D-Day and asked: what did they die for?

July produced little in the way of new topics. Paul Hepworth and A P Cox slogged it out with the old chestnuts and the great crested newts at Derwenthorpe became our firm friends. On July 19, 11 letters appeared protesting about parking charges.

August ground some of York's traffic to a halt during the Ebor race meeting, irritating many readers. Few were pleased, notably Councillor Ann Reid. The question was asked how long would it take to recoup the cost of parking meters when few people were using some of the places.

And readers did not like the proposed destruction of Burton Croft.

September saw four letters on the sports pages, all from distant towns and cities. The tabloid press was launched on the September 6 with 12 letters covering two pages.

You didn't like the way buses were being routed away from Dunnington, or what was happening to the trees at Connaught Court.

Following a television programme in October, readers had strong comments to make about Gary Hart, the man jailed for his part in the Great Heck rail disaster. Their feelings were just as strong about the Fulford trees and green spaces at Derwenthorpe. And once again the circuit used by trainee pilots from Linton-on-Ouse exercised villagers under the flight paths.

November was the month when the impact of post office closures became clear. Other closures that aggrieved our readers were Walmgate Bar and the swimming pools.

By December a potential rising bollard in Straylands was an issue. Letters from clergy and lay people gave considerable publicity to Satan's Grotto at York Dungeon and the absence of Santa's grotto from the York scene.

The Chapter House Choir was praised for the quality of its concert and the return to its time-honoured programme. The year ended as it had begun. Cyclists were still riding on pavements without lights and ignoring traffic lights.

In all 1,868 individuals wrote 3,252 letters with a further 99 appearing in the sports section. Who were the correspondents?

With a General Election likely, prospective candidates were active with Clive Booth appearing on 14 occasions. Local councillors were also busy with Tracey Simpson Lang appearing 11 times, Paul Blanchard, Andy D'Argorne and Ann Reid writing ten each.

Female readers wrote their fair share, too. Mrs Carter and Jean Frost were published eight times; Mrs Ida Mary Goodrick of Tadcaster wrote14 times, with Liz Edge (15), Janet S Kitchen (16) and Heather Causnett (23). Once again we congratulate Margaret Lawson, who entertained us 29 times.

This year many more readers have got into in print more often. Twenty six managed to attract the editor's eye at least once a month. These included Dr Richard Greaves and Mark Warters (both 15), Andy Scaife (16) and the longstanding protagonists Paul Hepworth and Mike Usherwood (both 19). Ben Drake wrote 20 times followed by Keith Chapman, A P Cox and David Quarrie with 24 letters each.

Yet again our most prolific correspondent was P R Willey. Not only does he help keep York's streets clean, but he entertained (or annoyed) us 35 times.

So what does 2005 hold?

It is up to you, dear reader.

Updated: 11:43 Thursday, January 06, 2005