THE power of the press is good for expressing views whether constructive or not.

It was nice to read Pat Pallier's letter (October 28) concerning the possible market in Haxby Memorial Hall.

It seems as though she feels it would be such a success, that traffic would be a serious problem in the town main street. A traffic survey could resolve that.

Kenneth Ward's vision in 1946 for the Ethel Ward playing field was completed in the early-1980s by the Playing Field Association, starting with a £30,000 drainage system, two football pitches with well over 100 players and floodlit netball courts; possibly the best in York. (At that time there was not enough local interest for rugby, tennis or cricket).

Also added to the field were a large swing park, Scout hut, and a pavilion that is now in desperate need of repair as this is used daily by a playgroup. Any further building on the playing field, however, would only be in line with the existing pavilion and car park, and should not encroach on any play area.

Since the 1980s, no progress has been made on the Ethel Ward playing field and Haxby now has possibly the worst sports facilities in York and district. Surely we have parents or players from the sporting bodies that use the facilities who could reform the Ethel Ward Playing Field committee with a vision of a new complex?

Geoff Howard,

Past playing fields chairman,

Swarthdale,

Haxby,

York.

Updated: 10:17 Friday, November 18, 2005