MRS G Hull's letter (August 6) had a pop at me. I am not a memorial hall trustee and writing to the Evening Press as a private citizen does not mean Haxby Town Council supports the course of action she fears.

Each council member has their own views. Some agree with me, some don't. Mrs Hull says the trustees should "first prove themselves worthy custodians" but, as soon as they release their first discussion document, she helps form a protest group. Be fair. Give them a chance.

She asks why "we should vote them large sums of money."

I am unsure who she means by "we". Virtually all the money granted at this stage in the huge costs of planning has been put there by the council tax precept from the people of Haxby.

She lives in Wigginton, whose council tax precept does not support these costs.

I'm delighted she agrees the memorial aspect of the hall faade is a disgrace, but why does she argue to leave it as it is? Mrs Hull refers to the "present, solid, brick-built hall".

The structural engineer's 11-page report disagrees. The hall is a magnet for vandals. If a modern hall were built, the vandals could very likely be "rubbing their hands", but they would be doing it on the latest state-of-the-art colour CCTV monitoring system.

Where does Mrs Hull see the money coming from to renovate the old hall? Without listed status it will be extremely difficult to attract Lottery funding.

The only dependable source of funding is from Haxby citizens. My aim is to see we get the best possible community asset for our money. Mrs Hull's protest group produced a 1,000 signature petition. Now we must ask the other 90 per cent of Haxby residents.

David Hunter,

Larch Way,

Haxby, York.

Updated: 10:54 Wednesday, August 17, 2005