Graeme robertson presents his annual round-up of letters written to the Evening Press.

WITH the exception of Saturdays, Readers' letters have covered a double page each day. This has provided more opportunity for members of the public to air their views.

With comments arriving by post, fax and e-mail, it is not possible to keep a record of the combined total - or to respond to Dale Minks' description of the "conference waste-paper basket league".

However, the Press did print 3,390 general letters and a further 91 on the sports pages. They came from 1,975 correspondents.

Identical names occur occasionally so it is possible that Harington Avenue and Barbican Road correspondents are one and the same person. Likewise for Lowther Terrace and Reighton Avenue.

Correspondents are urged to express their views in fewer than 300 words. Most do. But each year the Press asks for more short, pithy letters - the one-liners so beloved by the national tabloids.

This year saw two real shorties. In February, in seven words Robert Stevens wrote: "I wish David Quarrie would just abdicate". Regular readers will know he did not.

Then in November, Pip Burke proclaimed "Liberal Democrats. Worst City of York Council ever!" Sentiments shared by some, but not all, readers.

There have been occasional spats. Predictably the motorist/cyclist controversy was fuelled, or pedalled, by two of our regular contributors.

The year ended with Ken Holmes and Paul Willey politely settling their misunderstanding.

But for the majority, comments reflected issues of the moment.

Understandably, the year began with letters of concern about the tsunami disaster. Residents in the Linton on Ouse area had something to say about aeroplane noise. The news that the number of street signs was to be reduced pleased many readers, but not the thought of wind turbines at Escrick. As for the proposed ferris wheel, no thanks!

In was on January 4 that the first letter appeared from a councillor (Hogg) and on the 11th both Ken Holmes and George Appleby were appearing in print for the second time in the month.

In February, comments about the Big Wheel were still circulating. There was little enthusiasm for a rising bollard in Straylands. The proposed closure of the footpath near St Peters school angered many. The pros and cons of road gritting were aired.

A letter from the city council winter maintenance engineer prompted an unanswered question as to what this person did outside the winter period.

In March, gritting remained an issue. Hunting and the thought that jumbo jets might use Elvington prompted comment. The sex shop in Bootham and whether or not graffiti is art filled the postbag. When it became clear that Royal Ascot was destined for York, concern and praise were expressed in equal measure.

During April, there were more letters about Straylands and the preparations for Ascot. The 'legalise cannabis' lobby received considerable opposition from readers, while cleanliness at York Hospital received support. Rubbish on the hedges behind Monks Cross shopping centre angered some correspondents and the Derwent-horpe development rumbled on.

Markets were a recurrent theme in May. There were comparisons between the old and present York Market in both location and variety of goods on offer.

Tadcaster readers expressed objections to the cancellation of the continental market in their town. Access (or lack of it) for the disabled and the changes at Radio York appeared this month.

For the first time, the frequency of refuse collection and recycling plans produced comment. This issue continued relentlessly for the remainder of the year.

Some readers may have noticed that there was a General Election in May. On May 10, there were letters from the losing candidates. Meanwhile, York's local MP, Hugh Bayley, caught the editor's eye five times before the election but has not been heard of since.

In June, Royal Ascot arrived. There was praise for the planning of the event and complaints that it turned the city into a ghost town.

Mid month, Hansom Place residents wrote objecting to parking arrangements. The hospital received thanks for good service.

The second half of the year began with one correspondent admitting he had been wrong about the Ascot traffic arrangements.

Councillors but not council employees receiving free car parking produced a number of letters. One reader who had said "the Royal Family were expensive and useless" caused a flurry of comment. The residents of Newborough Street objected to the proposed re-siting of the ARC. On July 28, there were 12 letters on this subject.

August is normally a quiet month for news. Objections to the ARC relocation, plans for Haxby Memorial Hall and the lack of new ideas in the traffic plan produced comment. Not unexpectedly, the waste recycling plans were unpopular in some quarters.

In September, the recycling saga rattled on. On the 7th, David Quarrie managed a letter in both news and sports pages. The changing level of the River Foss, price of fuel and the underused car parks all received readers' attention.

Paul Willey, a regular and prolific contributor, was given a monthly column. And Mike Usherwood (another stalwart) caused controversy over a discussion about Cliff Richard on Radio York.

The city council took a beating over many issues in October. Lights were high on readers' agenda. Initially Christmas lights interested some correspondents but one day eight readers had something to say about a wedding convoy!

November started with many letters about fireworks. Mid month there was a violent response to a letter about disabled parking.

Perhaps you could be forgiven for thinking there was family conspiracy on the 15th. Three different Wilsons and two Chapmans appeared on the same day.

This month also revealed how perceptive some readers are. So was that a photograph of a Spitfire or a Spiteful?

And so the year closed in colourful style. The inauguration of the new Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, received due comment. Prison sentences being reduced angered. So did the proposed closure of Acomb Gables.

But with bus fares going up and hospital visiting hours coming down, these two topics will no doubt appear again in 2006.

Ironically, the last letter of the year came from the Waddingtons, commenting on coffee and cafes, a subject of which I have more than a passing knowledge.

Letters reach the Press from far and wide. Ted Audin of Ontario and Alan Phillips of Idaho are regulars. Chris Burn, aged ten, was the youngest correspondent, joining such illustrious names as Baroness Boothroyd. Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen was by far the longest named contributor. Short though their name is, 34 Smiths appeared in print during the year.

City of York councillors are not slow to have their say. Andy D'Agorne and Christian Vassie managed 12 letters apiece. Ruth Potter (11) and Ann Reid (ten) were not far behind. As for the others? Mark Hill, Tracy Simpson Lang, Sandy Fraser and Keith Orrell all appeared.

From the council, the director of resources, Simon Wiles, was not slow to write (five times).

The Press receives letters from a few prolific female readers. This year, the letters editor heard from Mrs Ida Mary Goodrick of Tadcaster 12 times, Janet Kitchen and Margaret Lawson (both 13) and Liz Edge (14).

Once again the queen of letter writing is Heather Causnett, who provided 19 contributions.

Managing to make print on average once every three weeks there were: Ben Drake, W Elliott (of Hartlepool), Paul Hepworth and Dale Minks (15 letters each). K Barnes and M Warters (16), Alec Dobinson (17), Aled Jones of Bridlington (18) with William Dixon Smith, Ken Holmes, Mike Usherwood and Robert Waite, all produced 19.

In the premier league of correspondents is Leo Enticknap (20), Kenneth Bowker (21), George Appleby, David Quarrie and Mick Snowdon (each with 22) and Keith Chapman (23).

That leaves Paul Willey, who once again has attracted the editor on many occasions. This year he provided 33 varied and interesting letters.

What will 2006 bring? Undoubt-edly a flood of communications on a variety of topics.

Updated: 10:31 Wednesday, January 04, 2006