IS York losing its soul? I "found" York in 1954 when I brought a coach full of young people, plus an Australian exchange domestic science teacher, to see the second Mystery Plays after the war (not Judi Dench's, I think hers was the third or fourth).

We parked in Marygate and walked into the Museum Gardens, sat on the grass and gazed enthralled and were hooked.

The ethos of an ancient city was irresistible and we talked about it all the way back to Halifax - when we weren't singing our brass band repertoire.

Norma (Aussie friend still in touch after 50 years) and I agreed that York was where I should spend my (well earned) retirement.

So Norma came back in 1980 and we "cased the joint". Yes, York had aged as gracefully as we had and so here I came in 1984 (note date).

However, since then...shall I say "it ain't what it was?" Hence my opening question.

Rosy White (nom de plume) for:

R Biggins,

Holly Terrace,

York.

Updated: 09:00 Tuesday, July 12, 2005