CONGRATULATIONS on your double-page article about buildings that deserve preservation (October 6). It was particularly timely given the current climate of officially-condoned vandalism when a chairman uses his casting vote, traditionally reserved for maintaining the status quo, to force through a case which has not been made.

In the case of Haxby Memorial Hall, can I add two more reasons why it merits preservation to those you quoted.

First, in its document designating the Haxby conservation area, City of York Council highlights the memorial hall as a key element of the street scene. Together with St Mary's Church and the Methodist Chapel, they illustrate three very different architectural styles used in the Victorian redevelopment of the town.

Second, St Mary's church hall, the memorial hall and Ralph Butterfield School represent a rare timeline in the development of the built environment for education.

From west to east, along the north side of Haxby centre, the first was built as the village school in 1854; it was replaced by the second, built as the Board School in 1876; in turn this was replaced by the third in 1954. Between them they illustrate the conditions in which Haxby children have been educated for 150 years - and the story continues.

I don't think I am alone in hoping that this very important building can be saved.

F T Smith,

Ashwood Glade,

Haxby, York.

Updated: 09:22 Thursday, October 14, 2004