Although they'd be replaced by 'mini-soccer' pitches, I think losing full sized ones is very short-sighted.

Huntingdonshire needs more sports facilities, not less.

With all the publicity regarding obesity, we should be encouraging more people to play our national game. It's all very well providing children under 10 with new pitches, but taking away pitches for when they get older defeats the purpose.

Isn't there supposed to be a root and branch review of the game?
I'm sure even the FA chiefs wouldn't claim that fewer pitches would be good for the game.
J Day
Huntingdon


Support the JPG
I was extremely sorry at the response to my defence of Dr Johnson, chairman of the St Neots Cinema project (Town Crier, February 14). 

My initial reaction was to write a rebuttal of the accusations made but this would only dignify the absurdities written last week by the town mayor Bob Eaton and Cllr Derek Giles.

The important thing is that St Neots gets its cinema.
I hope all councillors will now support the JPG and the proposal they have obtained from Reel Cinema.
Cllr Barry Chapman
Conservative

Pedal this idea
I refer to the report "Ecodrivers may win on expenses" (Town Crier, February 14).

If higher payments are made for lower emissions, what payment should be made for those using bikes?
75p per mile might see super-fit councillors as well as lower emissions!
Peter Quest
St Ives

Leaflet is insulting
With an election looming on May 1 it's getting to that time again when the main political parties suddenly realise the things which are important to the electorate, and set about claiming responsibility for everything good which has happened in the town and surrounding area and blaming the opposition for everything which has gone wrong.

We have all come to expect this, taking it with a pinch of salt. However, the latest Conservative leaflet being delivered to homes in St Ives really does insult our intelligence.

The In Touch leaflet proudly admits that the Conservatives lead St Ives Town Council, yet goes on to tell us that "The Lib Dems wanted to sell off one of our town's greatest historic assets".

They do not elaborate on how it is that the minority of three Lib Dem councillors, who are not allowed to chair any committees and who are largely ignored in the council chamber by the powerful Conservative lobby, managed to enforce their will over the 13 Conservative councillors to the point where the pen was poised over the sale contracts in August 2007.

Was it sorcery perhaps, or hypnotism? Were the Conservatives "hoodwinked" by the Lib Dems into putting up the for sale boards?

The fact is that the Corn Exchange saga would have been very different if all councillors had been free of party ties and been allowed to discuss issues and vote as individuals, and had they respected each other's opinions instead of worrying if they were allowed to agree with someone without losing a point to the opposition.

Party politics has no place on St Ives Town Council. The obsession of the political parties with putting up candidates for all 16 seats and desperation caused by the absence of committed volunteers has led to mediocrity and inaction.

The town council is seen as a springboard to the district council, hence five Conservative town councillors are also district councillors. Some councillors may indeed wish to move on from the town council, but are encouraged by the party to remain as there are not enough party members to fill all town and district seats.

How can councillors present the views of the people of St Ives to the district council if they are also wearing a district council hat?
There are many who have come to this same conclusion and who, sadly, simply do not turn out to vote, as nothing ever changes.

I refuse to be disenfranchised and will be voting in May. I will, though, be voting only for individuals who care about St Ives and for personalities with strength of character, who won't be afraid to speak out in council meetings.

But mostly I look forward to being able to vote for the independent candidates who I hope will be coming forward.
St Ives deserves better, namely some independent thinking and certainly an end to the party whip on the town council.
Jan Dobson
Rookery Close
St Ives

Help the veterans
The Royal Air Force is 90 years old on April 1 and the St Neots branch of the Royal Air Forces Association reached its 60th birthday on February 4.

The RAFA in St Neots, originally formed as the Astra ex-services club, began with a remit to assist former RAF personnel and their eligible dependants in their hour of need.

The same service is there today as the branch continues to look to the needs of others, including the men and women now serving across the globe and who will need our help in the future.

The RAFA offers everything from respite care to financial assistance, provision of mobility scooters, stair lifts, applying for complicated state benefits etc, and visits when needed.

To offer these services we need funds and help with running the branch.
Are you, or your company, 90 or 60 years old this year? Are you thinking of having a party or celebration?

Please join us in celebrating by helping to raise funds to make life more bearable for our veterans. Please call me on 01480 381052, or email robert.eaton1@ntlworld.com
Bob Eaton
Hon. Welfare Officer
RAFA St Neots