I HAVE recently returned from Royal Berkshire, Ascot to be precise, on a visit which unfortunately coincided with the bombing outrages in London.

This became all too familiar to me having served in the Metropolitan Police between 1950 and 1980 when terrorist activity was at its height and so was public awareness.

Unfortunately it was all too easy in those times for the general public to tar everyone with the same brush, especially those from ethnic backgrounds or origins, irrespective of race, colour or creed.

But I must emphasise that for the vast majority of Londoners the revulsion and horror felt did not deter them from rallying round and going about their daily lives with honour and compassion - as people did through the war years, across the country.

However, on a lighter note, with reference to York hoteliers allegedly ripping off southerners with their high tariffs, here is an example of the so-called north/south divide with regard to prices.

Shiraz Cabernet, 250mls by the glass £8.50; pint and a half of warm beer £5.25 all without gratuities; meal for two £100.

In this modern age we survive where the plastic card is king, it would seem, and where real money does not exchange hands until the day of reckoning.

Kenneth Bowker,

Vesper Walk,

Huntington,

York.

Updated: 10:18 Friday, July 15, 2005