I AM appalled, utterly disgusted, to see that OUR Manor House Museum is to be closed.

That OUR Manor House is possibly to be put up for sale. For fine fast food fodder? In a tourist town OUR museum, with its friendly staff, excellent exhibitions and displays plays a vital role both locally and nationally.

There can be no excuse for the sell-out, a betrayal of today’s citizens and the young people to follow. History is a vital subject. If only our politicians understood it.

Let there be no excuse about money being short. Cash is readily available to build bombs but not homes. No shortage of money for warships but not for welfare, care for the elderly or education grants for our young folk.

It all depends on what money is to be spent on. Sadly there is no profit in culture. We condemn the destruction of ancient cities in the Middle East yet we are destroying our very own history.

Let us invite our local celebrities and all who value the best in our society to get on board. Let us see our MP, our councillors stand up.

Let us not only save our culture but expand it – including our famous Festival.

Brian Ormondroyd

Birchwood Court, Ilkley