AT last through your pages we have seen something that Fulford residents have been trying to achieve for weeks now - a response from the president of the Masonic Benevolent Institution (Letters,

November 21).

And what a generous public spirited man he is - at least he seems to think so judging by the egotistical tone of his letter.

Never mind the old people about to be turned out of their homes, never mind the disruption to neighbours' lives and the pressures of new traffic flows and never mind the destruction of two fine healthy trees.

Why not? Because Mr Moore has bought some trees elsewhere in the country.

Forgive my cynicism, but this secretive organisation has no one to blame but itself if their neighbours regard their actions as sinister.

Perhaps Mr Moore could forget his anger for a moment and tell us if the two healthy trees destroyed have been replaced yet.

The masonic organisation would do well to take a leaf out Councillor Andy D'Agorne's book and try being honest and public in their intentions rather than adopt the secretive and yes, sinister style that we in Fulford have now come to expect of them.

George Barton,

St Oswalds Road,

York.

Updated: 09:50 Saturday, November 27, 2004