Sir, – I refer to Thirsk market and square.

Having moved to this area seven years ago after 25-plus years in America, I am despondent at the way the council treats it like a second class citizen and the councillors who do the same.

The cobbles and flagstones in the square have become worn and damaged by weather and foot traffic. The repairs are in asphalt which is hardly appropriate.

My letter to County Councillor Gareth Dadd brought about a much-anticipated reply: Chapel street is to be re-paved, which is totally off the subject.

He did resort to the usual “Well, in these times etc etc”.

Consequently, the square is looking like a patchwork quilt.

I notice there is no shortage of money to flagstone around the bandstand in Easingwold, previously asphalt.

No doubt health and safety will be used as a reason to use flagstones rather than repair with asphalt and not dissimilar to Northallerton’s lack of patchwork quilt repairs.

Is this to do with the presence of council offices in those towns?

I wonder what the citizens of York would do if they started doing the same in the Shambles?

My other concern is our humble market. It just shrinks while others grow – like Northallerton and York.

It takes little enterprise to visit other markets to compile potential attendees, then offer them attractive first-time attendees rates. This would help, together with some marketing of Thirsk.

Perhaps we should ringfence the parking revenues, so easily given up to Northallerton’s general fund, to help with the funding of projects in Thirsk.

GEOFF BROOKE Thirsk.