DESPITE the recession, there are many reasons to be cheerful.

Firstly, the new entrance to the Explore Library with the new wider pavements. Then there is the opening of the Barbican Centre and the painting of empty shops.

Then there is the gradual improvement in the results of York City FC.

I hope that the new improved stadium goes ahead with its 12,000 capacity and maybe it could also stage rock concerts.

I hope that with it comes cheap buses to get supporters to the ground from the other side of York, but it is good to see the ambition of taking sport to a new level. So I hope it goes ahead.

Mr T Wynn, Dodgson Terrace, Acomb, York.