Mushy peas – ‘Why I hope they have them in heaven’

HELEN Mead’s survey of that ambrosia known as mushy peas hit the spot (The Press, March 13).

I entirely agree with her verdict. My favourite, too, of this gourmet delicacy is Tesco’s own. I love them with fish cakes or fish fingers and a fleet of chips moored alongside. I hope they have them in heaven and I hope I’m going there. The dish deserves such a ‘peaon’ of praise.

I wonder what really posh mushy peas taste, and look, like?

I’ve never sampled Fortnum and Mason’s and not likely to. Couldn’t afford the tin, let alone the contents.

The common or garden ‘mushies’, especially if purchased from the big shop at Askham Bar, are just right for ordinary folk like you and me, the ‘salt & vinegar of the Earth’.

In any case they’re probably called by a more exotic sounding name at F&M such as ‘purée de petits pois’, which I had to look up.

Try that out in your local ‘chippie’ and see what happens.

Ordering fish and chips with mushy peas (and a few scraps) in French elevates this rightly popular dish to a whole new level, ie ‘posh’. I think the Romans introduced them, as they were responsible for so much else, eg, potatoes, autobahns, tobacco, Lego, spaghetti, baths and pizzas (famous for its leaning tower).

I consider fish fingers or fishcakes, chips and mushy peas as a health food. Maybe not so good for the body but excellent for the morale which must have positive physical side-effects. (Not yet available on the NHS).

Derek Reed,

Middlethorpe Drive,

York

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Thousands of homes are being built with zero thought to infrastructure

RE the Press headline ‘Construction starts on 314 new homes.

Whenever I see such headlines one thing always springs to mind: 314 new homes; let’s say on average three people per home. So approximately 1,000 people.

Please tell me what GP surgery is going to take all these people? Which dentist? In some cases which school? What shops? How will the local roads cope?

Thousands of homes are being built with zero thought to infrastructure.

Are more GPs and dentists being built to accommodate this influx of people?

I think/know not.

Craig Wilson,

Tuke Avenue,

Tang Hall,

York

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Fly tipping and misuse of litter bins will become more of a problem

WITH the restrictions on people taking waste to the recycling centre in Hazel Court, James Street, ( from Monday March 2) and with the facilities only open to pre-booked appointments so it begins.

It’s not unusual to see people placing household rubbish into litter bins, I often see it, but now I’m noticing bin bags being placed into the paper recycling, large green bins in St John’s Street car park.

I’ve never had any serious delays using Hazel Court, although I had the luxury of not going evenings and weekends when you expect it to be busy.

I foresee fly tipping and misuse of litter bins becoming more of a problem.

To help rather than hinder recycling why not re-open the centre on Wednesdays and make Monday to Friday open for anyone without booking, only implementing pre-booking on weekends and bank holidays.

Why not try to work with the population of York rather than handicap them at every opportunity?

D M Deamer,

Penleys Grove Street,

Monkgate,

York

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