Monday’s Press (September 17) spoke of a new flood storage lake planned for the River Foss at Strensall with the capacity to hold 800,000 cubic metres of flood water.

Any catchment is a great idea, but this is on the wrong river. Foss is a Norse name which means ditch or moat.

The river is just a small tributary of a much larger river, the Ouse. It would make far more sense to plan for a much larger lake, dug deep, perhaps on Clifton Ings.

Not only would it be able to store a massive quantity of flood water but would provide York with a place for water sports and fishing plus a reservoir of water for any potential water shortages.

As for the threats to the flood meadow and the endangered tansy beetles, a large island in the centre would provide for their safety and protect their environment.

DM Deamer,

Penleys Grove Street,

Monkgate, York

Time to replace City striker and caretaker

WITH reference to the main story on your sports pages on Tuesday (“Big Parkin Dilemma”, September 18), caretaker boss Sam Collins states he is carefully managing Jon Parkin’s workload to avoid the veteran striker breaking down during the season.

I suggest Sam Collins should watch Football Focus on Saturday morning, where Jon Parkin was featured this Saturday.

He said that he went straight from training to Greggs and had a tuna crunch, a bag of crisps, a steak bake, a bacon and cheese turnover and a pepperoni pizza. Sounds like a perfect diet for a professional footballer.

I suggest City should consider when they move from Bootham Crescent to Monks Cross also moving the training ground from Wigginton Road to Greggs car park.

That way Parkin would not be using too much energy going for his lunch. Or better still get rid of the caretaker manager and the centre forward and replace them with people that might get York City back into the Football League.

Terry Shepherdson,

Huntington, York

BBC is not to blame for licence fee plan

YOUR correspondent Ken Thorpe (Letters, September 17) is right to raise the issue of the free TV licence for the over-75s.

It was, and is, a widely welcomed policy introduced by the last Labour government and now worth £150.50.

Mr Thorpe however directs his concerns to the wrong body in criticising the BBC. It was Government that introduced the policy and the present Government who refuse to continue with it.

Rather than be open about it they passed the responsibility to the BBC and expected them to meet the cost from their existing income.

I hope this clarifies the matter.

Bob Towner,

Chair, York Older People’s Assembly,

Hobgate, York

RHS gold award joy for York Cemetery

FOR the second year running the Friends of York Cemetery have won an RHS Gold Award for their Yorkshire in Bloom entry.

Thanks to all the volunteers, York Cemetery Trust and the staff who work together to look after this wonderful place.

You can visit 365 days of the year.

Don’t miss the wildlife pond, butterfly walk, the rock garden, soldier’s lawn, the heritage orchard, the herb garden and much

more.

Hazel Hall,

Friends of York Cemetery,

Cemetery Road, York