I HAVE read with interest reports of the 1,000-plus signatures raised opposing the demolition of Haxby Memorial Hall.

I have some questions for those people:

1 Did you fill out the form delivered to every home in Haxby and Wiggington asking what we wanted? Most of the ones returned favoured a complete demolition.

2 Where have you been the past five years when help was required to put plans together and move the project forward?

3 Have any of you walked around the area recently? The building, the grounds and surrounding area are untidy.

4 How many of you use the hall? It will not survive in any form if we, as residents, don't use it.

5 Would you hire the hall?

6 We are in a position to create a new centre for our community. The present proposals are to include the library in the new building. There is a bus stop outside which is served by Haxby and Wiggington buses, this would bring the library into the centre of the community and make it more accessible.

7 This is our chance to leave a community building that will be enjoyed by our children and future generations. Are they not worth it?

8 The hall is already costing thousands of pounds a year in maintenance. If it is to be left as it is then within a few years it will be unusable.

Then, no doubt, the 1,000-plus people who have signed the petition will moan that nothing was done.

Mike Hainsworth,

Garths End,

Haxby, York.

Updated: 10:55 Wednesday, August 17, 2005