I WAS as sceptical as the next person before Royal Ascot At York, but I must admit I was wrong and congratulations to all involved.

To have the Queen on our doorstep, so to speak, in Bishopthorpe was an added bonus.

And a word to all the "moaning minnies": admittedly York centre was quiet as many people no doubt stayed away, expecting it to be crowded, or went in early as I did. The early buses were full of South Bank and Bishopthorpe residents.

But let's be honest, race-goers, whatever the meeting, do not go into town to shop or go round the market or "do" museums. If they don't head straight to the course from the station, they go for the cafs, bars and pubs.

And as for going for fish and chips, who wants to go to the races smelling of chips or with grease on one's posh frock or best shirt?

If the alternative is the whole of York gridlocked with traffic, then I know which option I prefer, and I speak as someone who has sat for up to two hours in a queue of traffic which stretched from one end of Bishopthorpe Road to the other, just to get home from work.

Mrs P Witlea,

De Grey Place,

Bishopthorpe, York.

Updated: 11:14 Tuesday, June 28, 2005