Sir, – For the past few years I have been lucky enough to live in Kirkgate, Thirsk – one of the most unspoilt streets in the area. Indeed it was a pleasure to walk up Kirkgate from the Market Square to Picks Lane, from where you can admire the gentle curve of the street ahead, culminating in the perfect dimensions and gold stone of St Mary’s Church.

Alas, this previously graceful beauty has now been marred by the custodians of one of its most historic buildings, who has festooned their property with those teardrop-shaped flags which would be more at home outside a discount hot tub showroom, and who have hidden the recently reinstated iron railings behind a pair of tacky vinyl banners (ironically claiming it to be a “historical site”). As final insults, they have installed a deep fascia board of the type specifically forbidden in a conservation area and replaced the original solid timber door with a wholly unsuitable glazed one.

And who has been permitted to carry out this cultural vandalism? None other than the management of the James Herriot Museum, tenants of Hambleton District Council, who, between them have transformed The World of James Herriot into Honest Jim’s Used Car Lot.

It certainly helps to have friends on the planning committee.

M TERZICH Thirsk.