THEY have hanged people, imprisoned people and even declared war on people there (though not all at the same time). Now a reader has come up with a new idea for the Eye of York.

Luckily, Dennis Young has an altogether more peaceful use for the grassy bit between the courts, the Castle Museum and Clifford's Tower.

"The Eye of York is in the news again," he writes, from his home in Clifton, York. "It is really centred on that circular green outside the museum and courts.

"So far I have failed to impress anybody with the idea of creating a 'real eye' by installing a shallow pond for youngsters' sailing boats - like that at Kensington Gardens - inside the green. If this idea grips you - a lively chap - folks may at last take notice."

Flattered but unconvinced by the suggestion that anyone takes the least notice of what appears in the Diary, we are nonetheless impressed by Mr Young's proposal.

Just imagine it. Parents sit in the shade of the tree watching their little ones recreate the Battle of Trafalgar, while a group of assorted court leavers cheer, their freshly-minted Asbos glinting in the summer sunshine.

And when it gets colder in the winter, hey presto - an instant ice rink (and one that would not be affected by the operator going bust).

A YEAR ago today, squatters left the Bonding Warehouse in York after a few days within.

The York Peace Collective's occupation had been beset by gatecrashers. But they still made the point that this tremendous, council-owned, community asset was being squandered.

Twelve months later, the Bo Ding remains empty and deteriorating, and beset by graffiti, despite the council's York Pride paint-busting promises.

It stands as monument to municipal inertia and leaseholder neglect.

THOSE UFOs in our picture yesterday could have been a trick of the light. Or they might just be something more mysterious.

That is the assessment of North Yorkshire's expert sky watcher Russ Kellett, who has now studied the picture in detail.

It was taken by award-winning Evening Press photographer Anthony Chappel-Ross, and showed three brightly-shining discs hovering above Denton Hall, near Ilkley.

Russ says they could be nothing more than the hall floodlights refracting with the camera lens.

Having said that, "there's one thing I can't understand," Russ said. "The light in the middle looks to be fuzzy compared to the one on the right, and seems to have a light around it from the cloud."

That would suggest an aerial light source. The mother ship, perhaps..?

If you have any information on UFOs, contact Russ at his home in Britain's flying saucer capital, Filey, on 01723 514700.

WE were interested to read the letter the other day pointing people to the Disabled Go website, which offers valuable information on accessible venues in York and elsewhere.

Logging on, we found an entry about the city's public toilets. These, said the website, "have facilities for disabled people but you will need a RADAR key to get into them".

To get a key, you must take proof of disability to the Tourist Information Centre, De Grey Rooms, Exhibition Square, York.

Er... but isn't that up a flight of steps?

Updated: 12:29 Thursday, August 18, 2005