I REFER to Chris Titley's article 'Ancient learning' (December 10) about the work of Alcuin, that great scholar of the eighth century. It was most timely when so much attention is now being paid to the future of education in this country.

As in so many cases, York has been tardy in recognising his importance.

When the Civic Trust was sponsoring its notion of erecting a statue to St Helena, I suggested to them that, instead of honouring the mythical activities of the mother of Constantine, they should pay tribute to Alcuin, a more reliably historical person and much more relevant to York.

I suggested a statue in a more modern idiom, outside the west entrance to the Minster depicting him addressing the city.

This would illustrate the two major forces in our civic history and honour a man to whom York, England and Europe owed so much.

Unfortunately my suggestion was ignored.

I hope that, through your columns, this idea might be revived.

Leonard Robinson,

Fairway Drive,

Upper Poppleton,

York.

Updated: 10:32 Thursday, December 20, 2001