YOUR report Village split in community centre 'farce' (March 1) was obviously taken from Mr Thompson's comments on the different approaches taken by Upper and Nether Poppleton parish councils to the request for support by precept of Poppleton's community hall.

But we view it not as a farce but as a consequence of having one village - for that is what the intertwined villages of Upper and Nether Poppleton have become since the building boom which started in the 1960s - administered by two parish councils.

Logic demands the conjoined village should be administered by one parish council which at a stroke would remove the dangers of further differences between the two councils.

On the funding of Poppleton's community centre; it was built thanks to the tireless efforts by villagers during more than ten years.

More than 1,500 adults and young people enjoy these facilities today and all pay competitive rates for the facilities.

Fundraising continues but is barely enough to cover essential maintenance costs so the parish councils were approached for support through precept. The community hall has never received the same support from the City of York Council as comparable facilities in York.

Its annual grant of £7,000 compares very unfavourably with the grants provided to Burton Stone Lane and Oaklands community facilities; £60,000 and £75,000 a year respectively.

Poppleton's community hall could not have functioned during these past years without the hard work, largely unpaid, of one married couple. But they are now retiring.

So it is essential to employ a full-time professional manager whose work would more fully use the hall's facilities and soon help pay for the post.

To find the money short-term, the Community Trust asked the two parish councils for a temporary precept, averaging about £10 a year per household.

Rod Clark,

Ebor Way,

Nether Poppleton; and

John Craven, Main Street,

Nether Poppleton,

York.

Updated: 11:01 Thursday, March 17, 2005