‘What do York traders really think of Christmas Market?’

A SPIN-OFF point from Mr Laverack’s Press letter ‘Bonkers Britain is well and truly broken’ in your November 27th issue is the Christmas Market of which he seems to disapprove with similar resolve to his opposition to that blot on the landscape and modern equivalent of the Merchant Adventurers, Spark.

As a long-gone city centre shop-worker, what I would be interested to know is what present-day city-centre businesses, large and small, think of the Christmas market, those likely to be affected one way or t’other.

Is it a boon? Does it affect them positively or negatively? Has anyone seriously asked them?

I wonder what answers would appear if this and other queries were put to them. Perhaps there’d be a surprising level of enthusiasm or, on the other hand, a chorus of disapproval.

Derek Reed,

Middlethorpe Drive,

York

What do you think?

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Take part in York International Women’s Week

EACH year, York International Women’s Week (YIWW) brings the city together to mark International Women’s Day (March 8) with a vibrant and thought-provoking week-long programme of events celebrating women and girls.

In 2026, our theme is “Weaving Women’s Stories” and the deadline for submissions is January 7, 2026 or earlier if possible.

YIWW offers a space for communities to come together: to listen and be heard, to share knowledge, to celebrate achievements, to learn, and to enjoy each other’s company. From everyday concerns to urgent global issues, from serious debate to joyful gatherings all events are welcome.

The coordinating group is now inviting organisations, community groups and individuals to submit event ideas that place women and girls at the centre. Events can be in-person, online or hybrid, and we especially welcome initiatives that:

• Engage women from diverse backgrounds

• Are organised by or with refugees, asylum seekers and migrants

We’d also welcome more online events to ensure wider accessibility as we didn’t have many last year.

For more information and to get inspiration from previous years visit our website: www.yorkwomen.org.uk

Name and address supplied

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Chancellor is ‘causing cost of living crisis’

RACHEL Reeves claims to be fighting the excessive cost of living we have to endure.

She should be apologising for causing it.

Billions to give away with the Chagos Islands and soon billions more for EU greed and a “reset”.

Starmer spends more time out of the UK than in it, why doesn’t he just retire to Spain and make most Labour MPs happy ?

John Zimnoch,

Osbaldwick,

York

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In praise of the budget

What a brilliant budget from a fantastic Chancellor.

Freezing rail fares for the first time in 30 years.

Freezing prescription charges yet again.

Raising the minimum wage and the living wage.

Reforming property tax to ensure the rich pay their fair share.

Raising taxation on bookmakers for online gambling that destroys so many lives.

An energy scheme to save £150 a year.

Making the help to save schemes permanent.

And finally scrapping the two child benefit cap to ease child poverty.

The Tories cared for the richest ten per cent for 14 years.

Labour has delivered for the ninety per cent after less than two years.

Promises made. Promises kept. And long may it continue.

Geoffrey Brooking,

Saxley Court,

Havant