Following an article in the Evening Press (June 8) in which Bedern Hall was described as 'a crumbling historic property on the English Heritage blacklist, with decaying stonework', it appears you were confusing their reference to Bedern Chapel, also in Aldwark.

In fact, Bedern Hall is a thriving medieval hall restored in 1982 and administered by The Bedern Hall Company Ltd whose address is 17 Lendal, York, YO1 8AQ, tel 01904 625401.

The hall has full catering facilities and can be hired by members of the public for weddings and other functions, with a reception room attached to the main function room and seating capacity of 70.

The hall is also the Guildhall for three of the city's ancient guilds, The Company of Cordwainers of the City of York, The Guild of Freemen of the City of York and The York Guild of Building. These three guilds hold their individual functions in Bedern Hall and also hold a joint Three Guilds' Dinner every year.

This year's Three Guilds' Dinner, hosted by the Company of Cordwainers of the City of York was held on August 13, when the Master, Canon Jack Armstrong, MBE welcomed all the guests, who accepted an antique chair from the York Civic Trust as a presentation.

He also gave guests a fascinating insight into the history of Bedern Hall and its use originally as a refectory for the Vicars Choral of York Minster from the 14th century up to the 17th century.

Peter Summers,

Bedern Hall Company Ltd,

17 Lendal,

York.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.