On the other hand, I couldn't always 'hack' the stuff spouted by Peter Mullen. But nevertheless he certainly had a good response from some very irate readers, which in turn made for good reading.

There are many good letters contributed to your column, covering a wide variety of subjects, but sadly not enough on political issues, which would lend a little 'clout'.

Although Bryan Marlowe and I have 'crossed swords' in the past, I'd much rather his contribution had a bit more 'bite', than read more tales about his long suffering dog. Or perhaps our Bryan has become a bit of a pussy-cat.

C A Barrett,

Anthea Drive,

York.

...In response to 'Leaning to the Left', on my return from Dorset to Yorkshire I was pleased to find an excellent evening newspaper with a broad range of views. I did not however appreciate the Peter Mullen column with his Europhobic views and his anti-Anglican Church slant and whilst I appreciated the professionalism of John Potts his views were outmoded and too full of nostalgia.

Surely in the 21st century your writers should have their eyes wide open with spectacles that are neither blue nor rose- tinted.

Mr Calpin does not seem to have realised that public opinion has shifted on many issues in the last decade. For example, Thatcherism is dead, racialism is out, food safety and pollution are very live issues. Your columnists would be shirking their responsibility if they ignored these factors. The issues you have taken up recently have shown your own awareness but I would suggest that the environment, our number one issue, should have a regular columnist.

Richard O Whiting,

Redman Close,

Fulford,

York.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.