'This historic York gem has been ‘Disneyfied’ - is this progress?'
A reference in Darren Greenwood’s report with a photo of Shambles (The Press February 18), headed ‘Retail units like gold dust as demand high’ sent me scurrying down memory lane.
It’s striking how the character of this historic gem has changed over the years.
Obviously way back in days of yore it was characterised by butchery and animal products which must have been offal for residents though I expect they were used to it.
Now it’s wizards and witches, ghosts, cats, potions and the factor that made Shambles famous, Harry Potter.
There’s plenty of food to be had ranging from fudge to sausages. Is genuine original Shambles (‘beware of impersonations’) rock still a thing? There’s almost all the fun of the fair.
Indeed some would even co-opt the term ‘Disneyfied’ to capture the ambience of the street today. However, then and now, set apart is the shrine of St Margaret Clitheroe.
Fifty years ago it was different with a much greater emphasis on artisan craftsmen and traders.
In the ancient jumble of buildings back then could be found woodturners and carvers, art and craft supplies, cabinet maker, antiques, weaver, leather ware, shoe repairs, a proper art gallery, photographers, wool shop, coins and stamps, silversmith, wrought ironwork…and this isn’t a complete list.
There was even a butcher and, not forgetting, a bookseller. Compare and contrast with today’s street scene. Makes you think, doesn’t it?
I suppose it’s what’s called progress (discuss).
Derek Reed
Middlethorpe Drive
York
What do you think?
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No chart needed for York’s potholes
What a wonderful caring Government we have, we can now look at a chart and see whether our council is dealing with, or NOT as the case may be in York, potholes.
I do not need to consult any chart, I just drive a hundred yards along the road to find out!!!!!
Phill Thomas
Skelton
York
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The trouble with political spin
When Tony Blair was PM, he was mired in bad decisions and U-turns; they were never his fault because of a clever spin doctor by the name of Alastair Campbell.
Eventually people became aware of this and gave him the title of 'Teflon Tony' because nothing ever stuck to him.
We now have a PM who makes Blair look like a total amateur when it comes to U-turns, scandals and bad decisions so it is only fitting that he should also get a title and that could be 'Non Stick Starmer' as every decision he makes that goes wrong it is never his fault.
T J Ryder
Acomb
York
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Post at a snail's pace
People are right to complain about poor delivery service of post by Royal Mail.
I reside less than a mile from Selby Hospital yet it has taken six days for correspondence to arrive at my doorstep, a snail could have delivered it quicker.
Peter Rickaby
Moat Way
Brayton
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