LAST Monday the BBC Omnibus programme paid tribute to John Barry, "the legendary film composer", who was quite obviously still very proud to be a son of York.

I do hope that the whole of York was watching the amazing story of this widely acclaimed man who so far has been little acknowledged in his home city.

If the name is unfamiliar to our younger citizens, his music will not be. John Barry (aka John Barry Prendergast) has been responsible for writing most of the James Bond film music. His music has given emotion to films such as Born Free, Out Of Africa and Dances With Wolves. He has won five Oscars.

The programme traced John Barry's story from his beginnings at the Rialto Cinema (now the Mecca Bingo hall) in Fishergate, owned by his father, the dynamic impresario Jack Xavier Prendergast. And the story also included other York figures such as Dr Francis Jackson, for many years the Master of Music at York Minster, who was John's mentor.

Members of the Prendergast family do still live here and I know that John visits York whenever he is in Britain. Isn't it high time that the city of York did something to honour and acknowledge the talents of this wonderful man of music?

To this end, I have written to the Lord Mayor proposing that the City of York Council consider awarding John Barry OBE the Honorary Freedom of the City in recognition of his 40 years of fame in the music industry and his roots here in our fair city. This is the highest honour which is within the gift of the city to bestow.

If any Evening Press readers feel that they would wish to support my proposal, they can contact me on York 471800.

Peter Stanhope,

Grange Close,

Skelton,

York.

...HOW wonderful to see York's John Barry on Omnibus. What a talent. I danced every Friday and Saturday to the John Barry 7 at the De Grey Rooms. We are very proud of him. Happy memories.

Joan Roberts,

Queen Anne's Road,

Bootham,

York.