I NOW live in Sheffield but lived in York for 13 years. In your feature on the future of York (March 27), Sarah Brownbridge commented that young people have nothing to do in the evening, feel worthless and so get into mischief.

How can anyone living in this day and age have nothing to do? We have 12-screen cinemas, Internet cafs, digital television, leisure centres, theme parks, more toys, CDs and other consumer goods in more shops than ever before.

Decades ago when there was no television, vandalism was almost non-existent. Perhaps consumerism and the urban culture is the cause of their discontentment. It certainly cannot be linked to lack of facilities.

Perhaps the more facilities there are, the more people lose the ability to entertain themselves in constructive ways, and to simply enjoy and appreciate what they already have around them.

Dawn Biram,

Totley Brook Road, Sheffield.

...WHAT are we bringing our children up like?

While watching a rugby league match between Leeds and Castleford on March 2, the camera focused in on a little girl whose face was painted with the words "I hate Leeds". Hate is a very strong word to use by anyone but to have this on a little girl's face is not teaching her either compassion or sportsmanship.

Rosemary Stubbs,

Friargate,

York.

Updated: 11:16 Wednesday, April 10, 2002