I WRITE in support of F T Smith's letter (October 14) and that of Alison Sinclair, conservation areas advisory panel chair (October 18), the second letter having a bearing on the first.

Haxby Memorial Hall is within the conservation area which seeks to preserve the historic core of the village. It certainly makes a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the area as well as being considered by the residents as the village Memorial Hall as opposed to the "official" war memorial in St Mary's Church.

That the hall needs extending greatly is not in dispute, particularly for the provision of facilities for indoor sports such as badminton and basketball. Playing fields are in woefully short supply and the youth club, excellent though it is, caters for the younger teenagers.

Following a public meeting in July 2003 when the "glass and steel" plans were overwhelmingly rejected, the new committee agreed to consult the people of Haxby fully and frequently.

This has not happened. There is, however, a website - www.haxbymemorialhall.org - which gives some (minimal) information and the architects referred to in that information - huf-haus - also have a web site www.huf-haus.de/en/_ds118957335.

Muriel Pirozek,

York Road,

Haxby,

York.

Updated: 10:54 Tuesday, October 26, 2004