THEY'RE finally realising that our way is the right way. After centuries of carping prompted by an understandable inferiority complex, Lancastrians are coming to accept that Yorkshire knows best.

Not that they're making a song and clog dance of their conversion. They are turning Tyke gradually.

It begins at the county's borders. "Welcome to Lancashire, the Red Rose County", the road sign states. And yet the rose above is... white.

It can be seen by drivers entering Lancashire on the M6 from Cumbria.

Of course the poor, confused loves are making excuses. A news story headlined 'York Kidding' in the Lancaster Citizen and the Lancaster and Morecambe Gazette quoted a red-faced (or should that be white-faced) Lancashire County Council official saying: "We are aware this sign on the motorway has faded and the rose now appears to be white."

Permission would be sought from the Highways Agency to "replace the sign and make sure the rose is red".

Guys, guys, don't bother. Face up to it, the white rose is the right rose. Why not go the whole hog, and swap your black so-called pudding for a far superior delicacy, the Yorkshire?

NO surprise that the council backed Derwenthorpe. No surprise either that the two most famous protesters are furious.

But Newton and Ridley, the great crested newts set to be evicted if the Joseph Rowntree Foundation bulldozers rip up the wild meadows, are not giving up the fight.

"We have formed the Newt Resistant Movement (NRM) with offices on Leeman Road. Once we clear some old trains out of the way we can move in," a despatch from Newton reveals.

"Ridley is now busy organising the hedgehogs into suicide squadrons readying them to take up positions to block all vehicle access to the site. Well, it keeps his mind off things."

THE Derwenthorpe planning meeting was, of course, Lib Dem Councillor Jonathan Morley's big moment.

As Osbaldwick's sole representative on the city council, Jonathan has long been inundated with demands from irate constituents that he speak out against the model village on their behalf.

He declined. Crazy new guidelines mean his staying schtum was the only way to preserve his vote at the planning committee.

But when the crunch came, Coun Morley was persuaded by political opponents that he was already tainted by partisanship - and he opted out of the final decision.

So he didn't speak out before the meeting. And he didn't vote at the meeting. What a triumph of democratic representation.

IF certain seats in Clifton Bingo Club are said to be York's luckiest - gifting those who sit on them with jackpots on successive nights - where is York's unluckiest?

We nominate the city council leader's chair at the Guildhall. Look at the evidence of the last three incumbents: Rod Hills (say no more), Dave Merrett (lost Labour's 18-year hold on power), Steve Galloway (say no more)...

Is there an unluckier chair in the city? Suggestions to the usual address.

In the meantime, see you down Clifton bingo.

Updated: 09:19 Wednesday, February 02, 2005