Bury Richard
with his wife
in Abbey

AS I write this, I am conscious that the High Court judges are considering the legal arguments surrounding the final resting place of Richard III.

We have Leicester, just because he happened to die there, and further up the M1 we have York, because he allegedly indicated that is where he wished to be laid to rest.

While it would be convenient to pop to York to see the memorial to the last Yorkist King, there is little merit in either site.

Leicester has little – merely the fact that the decisive battle took place nearby and he was buried in the Collegiate Church of St Mary.

York – well perhaps it’s a larger cathedral than Ripon, which I suspect is nearer to Middleham Castle where he was born and lived for some time, though his son was invested with the hereditary titles in York Minster.

I think there should be a logical compromise to end this unseemly row and, as usual, a woman can bring the warring parties together.

Five months before Richard was killed, he had the sad duty to lay to rest his wife Anne, the mother of his only son Edward (who probably lies at Sheriff Hutton) and where did he choose? York? No. Warwick, where she was born? No. Obviously not Leicester but Westminster Abbey where her tomb can be seen today.

That was Richard’s wish, and I’m sure we would want his remains to be with her. May she and he rest in peace – together.

From: Mrs E Blagboro, Dunsley Crescent, Whitby, North Yorkshire.

CONGRATULATIONS on the coverage (The Yorkshire Post, March 13) of the campaign to return Richard III’s remains back to Yorkshire.

But please allow those of us who do not use a computer to voice our opinion on where he should be buried. Can you possibly print a voting form in your paper so the rest of us can post our choice of resting place? I know this means more work for your staff, but it would be much appreciated.

He was a son of Yorkshire – let’s have him home. Soldiers return from battle, dead or wounded, and are brought back to their families where possible.

Leicester University has no authority over this decision. His remains are not treasure or “finds”. York Minster already has a chapel in his memory and Leicester is just hoping to get on the tourist gravy train.

Blame unions for lost jobs

From: Martin Fletcher, Flanders Court, Thorpe Hesley, South Yorkshire.

I DO not know how old H Marjorie Gill is but she is obviously well heeled and does not follow costs and marketing trends and has no idea of the cost of living for the average person (The Yorkshire Post, March 15).

Why do companies have factories in Thailand, China etc? The same reason we lost our car and motorbike industry – costs.

Does she not know that the average working man cannot afford a suit from Savile Row? And although I bought a very nice tweed suit in a tailors in Beverley about 25 years ago when on holiday, I cannot afford them now.

I am 68 and was born in London. I worked for a time in the rag trade and I have also worked in the West End of London. I know what I am talking about. The unions killed off clothing factories along with inept, disinterested management who just wanted to get out and play golf.

It is cheaper now to wait for a tailor from Hong Kong to visit the English cities, as they do, and buy a suit from them or mass produced from a high street tailor or even M&S or Tesco.

The rag trade for menswear has disappeared from the East End of London.

I am not saying I am happy about it but that is the way it is.

Selfish society
hits marriage

From: Chris Schorah, Gascoigne Avenue, Leeds.

BOTH Marilyn Stowe (The Yorkshire Post, March 14) and Joanna Trollope (The Yorkshire Post, March 11) blame the decline in the popularity of marriage on changing financial advantages and personal preferences.

Overwhelmingly, however, the common denominator is our present obsessive self-interest. As we’ve lost sight of the Judeo-Christian tradition of sacrificial concern and care for each other, so commitment in marriage has been set aside. This is a social disaster because, time and time again, research has shown that a lasting marriage contributes positively to children’s development, community cohesion and support for the disadvantaged.

Central issue for cyclists

From: Chris Foren, Leeds Green Party.

NICK KEER’s letter (The Yorkshire Post, March 14) contains some very questionable advice. He suggests that cyclists should not ride in the centre of the lane.

There are times when cyclists should “take the lane” for their own safety.

The situation could be improved if Leeds City Council got serious about putting in segregated cycle lanes on main roads.

This would give cyclists their own space and encourage more people to use their bikes. Cleaner air, less noise, healthier people, less congestion. Everyone wins. That would be a lasting legacy from the Tour de France.