Sir, - Responding to the letters about his book on Northallerton Grammar School (D&S, Jan 25), Mr Riordan failed to comment on Mr Artley's assertion that the book seems to be an attempt to present "a smooth progression to ever higher standards by conveniently glossing over unfortunate times".

Prompted by the correspondence I have read (and enjoyed) the book again. In the post-1945 chapters I could not find a single sentence which questioned the performance of any headmaster, teacher or governor. Whenever they are mentioned they are praised and often the praise is generous. The impression given is that there were never any problems of any sort. Those of us who attended the school, including the author, know this is far from the truth. Future local historians seeking an accurate impression of the school should not rely on the picture painted in this book.

That my more-systematic second reading confirmed my impressions when I first read (and enjoyed) the book came as no surprise. In autumn 2000 the author had telephoned me on another local-history matter and had mentioned the book's forthcoming publication.

I expressed the hope that it would be more balanced than his material on the school which had been published in your columns and which viewed the school through rose-tinted spectacles. He agreed the school was by no means perfect in our day (we discussed specific examples) but he said that given the book was being produced by the school its tone would be much the same. And so it is.

The book has been described to me as "a coffee-table book". Its format is not large but it is lavishly illustrated and the description is therefore not inappropriate. I would commend it to ex-pupils who have not yet seen a copy for it is a pleasant read. But they should not expect it to be a proper "warts-and-all" history of the school. It is not and it seems that that was never the intention.

Dr D F SEVERS

Borrowby Avenue,

Northallerton.

Fight for our court

Sir, - I have heard with dismay the final decision of the Magistrates' Courts Committee to close the court house at Richmond. This is in spite of a consultation process where every council in the area, many other organisations and many individuals all opposed the proposal.

The court in Richmond is secure, any needed improvements could be easily and cheaply done. Indeed at the moment it is the only court house in use in the division as Northallerton is unusable whilst building work takes place.

Rural areas are losing too many facilities and the loss of the court will greatly inconvenience those who need to travel to court by public transport. The distances involved are very great and the whole concept of "local justice" is disregarded by those who have made this deplorable decision.

The county council is able to appeal against this and I would urge all those who feel as I do that this is one closure too many to write to the Leader of the Council at County Hall, Northallerton to ask him to support us and to appeal to have the decision overturned.

KATHERINE CARR

Chairman, Northallerton and Richmond Bench,

Frenchgate.

Richmond.

Court vandals

Sir, - That the Georgian courtroom in Richmond Town Hall is in need of restoration is beyond doubt, and that the town council has to its credit made provision in the 2002 precept for that purpose.

However, in its wisdom it has seen fit to indulge in an act of vandalism as bad as this ancient town has ever seen or will see. In the well of the court stood a table which had been specially made for the site, and was for the use of the court officers and for the local solicitors to work from.

It is thought that this table dates from about 1900, and although not as old as the rest of the court it has a place in the history of the provision of justice in Richmond. This table has been removed and a polished table of more recent vintage put in its place.

To say that this new table looks ridiculous in this setting is to understate the case. It is far too small ever to be used as a working table in this important area of the court.

To replace the old table with this interloper is at best stupid and at worst vandalism, with no thought or appreciation of the history of the court.

I hope that the councillors, who after all are only the trustees of the town's possessions and supposedly the guardians of its traditions and history, will quickly reconsider this ill-judged decision and return the old table to its proper place. It could then be restored along with the rest of this fine old Georgian courtroom.

ALAN M WILCOX

High Riding,

Richmond