AS ONE of the original members of the Royal Hall working group, then the Trustees, it was my privilege to have worked with Mrs Lilian Mina from the beginning of her spectacularly successful role as chairman of the Royal Hall Trustees. Lilian, in my view, was irreplaceable.

After her untimely death on April 22, I suggested to the trustees that they adopt a rotating chairmanship, with each trustee taking the post in turn, meeting by meeting.

Although I thought this system was working well, at the meeting of May 27, I was startled to be asked if I would take on the role of chairman, which I agreed to do for a trial period of six months.

I see my new role as co-ordinating the work of my distinguished colleagues to achieve Lilian's original vision, and also of rising to meet fresh challenges.

The general public might be shaken if they knew what else has to be done to restore the Royal Hall, which task was never just about structural integrity and decorative beauty. Large areas of World War Two utility glass have still to be replaced with appropriate stained glass.

The accomodation for artists is in my view appalling, and would probably be judged unsuitable for lodging stray pigeons.

One of the artists rooms has a communal shower that some might consider inappropriate even in a single sex public school.

The heritage room is a shadow of what it could become. There are issues with carpets and hand-rails to resolve.

But the trustees are a unified group, and nothing will be taken on without careful investigation.

We are especially blessed in having the services of our admirable administrator, Howard Hughes, who is a tower of strength, and a man who genuinely loves the Royal Hall. The trustees are fortunate to have his services.

I am determined to maintain and develop the good working relations that Lilian fostered between the trustees, the Council, the Harrogate International Centre, and most importantly, the general public, whose building it is.