WHAT a pleasure to attend the opening concert at the Barbican on Saturday performed by the BBC Philharmonic orchestra.

Having been present at the inaugural performance to celebrate the completion of the building in September 1991, it is now six long years since the citizens of York have had the opportunity to enjoy orchestras of this stature.

For this reason alone, the Liberal Democrats richly deserved the drubbing they received at the local elections. Shame on them for depriving all of us of such pleasures for so long.

Bob Towner, Hobgate, York.

• YORK Barbican had its official opening on Saturday with only half the seats occupied. People – use it or lose it again.

Joan Hughes, Blakeney Place, York.