THERE has been detailed discussion on the future of York City Archives and the resulting report seems to be extremely unfair to the present staff.

For many years there has been at least one qualified archivist with specialist knowledge of the city's records.

At present there are three qualified archivists and one trainee, all of whom read medieval Latin and ancient handwriting.

Any poor conditions are due to being starved of funds.

I have been a volunteer there for 11 years, so understand the situation. The Friends of York City Archives donated money over a period to help with conservation and special purchases, but this has recently been refunded to the Friends.

The "vision" detailed in the report is such an idealised daydream that I wonder if it could ever come to fruition without someone like the late John Paul Getty. What would it cost us council tax payers?

Mrs A P Paver,

Orchard Way,

York.

Updated: 09:57 Tuesday, December 20, 2005