YOUR campaign to help to save local pubs may be commendable, but unless pubs are run on a profit-making basis they cannot continue.

Over the past 20 years, I have seen the decline and closure of local pubs, post offices, garages, village shops, butchers, and so on.

Just a few years ago most villages had regular whist drives, dances, church services and other social events. On Fridays and Saturdays, you had to arrive early at the local to be able be able to get a table to play dominoes and cards or get your name down to play darts. Now all these games are in terminal decline.

Years ago, while working for the manager of Woolworth’s in Coney Street, he told me how his car battery had gone flat and how he had disconnected it and carried it down to the local garage in Poppleton, had it recharged carried it back to re-fit it and soon had the car going again.

“And do you get your petrol from the local garage,” I said. “Oh no, it’s far to dear, “he said. “And where will you carry your battery to when it’s gone?” I said.

The garage is now long gone. Use it or lose it .

D M Deamer, Penleys Grove Street, Monkgate, York.