I know they all worked hard and will continue to do so for the benefit of our town. They should, at all times, however, remember their commitment to avoid party politics.

If they forget this, then there is a danger that our town could sink back into the dark days of partisanship that we have recently abandoned.
I also hope that they drown out the voices of Cllr Ablewhite and Cllr Davies.

Cllr Ablewhite's letter (Town Crier, May 1) claimed that he "proposed that the town council should go forward with Mr Purchas" and that therefore the Corn Exchange has been saved. However, it was Debbie Townsend, a Liberal Democrat councillor who made that proposal.

Cllr Davies claimed that the Corn Exchange could only be saved with a Conservative town council, but I'm sure this will be proved to be untrue when our newly independent town council gets the Corn Exchange up and running much more successfully than the Conservatives could.
Jonathan Barnes
Ansley Way
St Ives

>> Gordon Brown is in trouble, the Labour party are in meltdown and the Conservative representatives in St Ives took all three district seats.

But for me though, the defining point of the recent elections was the townsfolk of St Ives turning out in number to vote for change in the town council – true democracy in action.

The following morning at the count in Burgess Hall was also absorbing when it was announced that all 11 independent candidates had been successful.

Having met and worked with them during the last few weeks of their campaign, I must say that I am impressed by the sheer diversity of skills offered and their motivation and enthusiasm for the future of St Ives.

What is more, decisions made will be totally apolitical and acting as independent members a greater degree of transparency will evolve.
I can honestly say the newly elected members of the town council will not be found wanting. To let Oliver Cromwell have the last word; "Subtlety may deceive you, integrity never will."
John Tiddy
Needingworth Road,
St Ives

>> I would just like to express my heartfelt thanks to all those who voted for me in the St Ives Town Council elections.
I stood for election out of passion for the town and now look forward to serving the community in which I live.
Rosemary Paget-Crowe
Independent
St Ives Town Council

>> I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who voted for me in the district council election.

As I have always stated, I will act for the whole of St Neots, Eynesbury and the Eatons. Should anyone have the need for my district or county council status, please do not hesitate to contact me.

As a local person for over 60 years, my first commitment is for the local issues. As for party politics these should be left out as far as possible.

If you have a genuine problem, please call or email and I will do my best to get your problem sorted out. My personal telephone numbers are 01480 404014 and 07710335849 and my email is juliebutton@btinternet.com
Bob Farrer
Conservative
District and county councillor

A magical night
>> We've just returned from watching SIMADS' latest production Jane Eyre.

Although I am not great fan of Charlotte Bronte's works, my wife is a devotee.

I was surprised then to be converted by this musical drama (perhaps more of an opera with 42 musical pieces).

It was put together in a magical way which told the initially sad story with its happy ending. To start with the setting was grey and the music subdued. This created an aura of the times – sprawling urban slums with poverty and disease stalking the people.

Gradually the pace increased with the music having echoes of Les Miserables and the settings a cross between Oliver and Gosford Park.
All was superbly put together and the players rose to the occasion with enthusiasm and talent.

The two leads – Jane and Rochester – were strong and convincing in both acting and singing and they were very well supported by the cast.
Well done SIMADS, the orchestra and all those behind the scenes.
Peter Baker
Redwell Close
St Ives

Post Office problems
>> Derek Norman of UKIP is incorrect when he attributes post office closures to a EU directive (Town Crier, May 1).

Royal Mail and its subsidiaries are losing money largely because of incompetence.

The former post office building in St Ives occupies a prime site but the ground floor is largely empty because the upper floor is used as a sorting office. Lugging mail up and down is hardly cost effective when there are plenty of more suitable buildings in the industrial area.

Furthermore, vehicles would be able to get in and out far more easily.
Last year I received an invoice for Freepost services, which covered a period of nearly three years.

How many other customers were involved in this piece of incompetence?
The problem of small rural post offices could and should have been addressed years ago. Some could have been replaced by agencies providing the basic services, and mobile services might be more appropriate in others.

In other villages, a post and information office could be the answer with postal, internet/email facilities and direct links to local government, tax and social security offices.

Above all it is essential for Post Offices Ltd to strip away the vast amount of its bureaucratic controls.

The European Commission is horribly inefficient and expensive but the recent record of our own civil service seems to be equally as bad (such as the loss of discs by tax offices and the terrible record of the Home Office).

We should be putting our own house in order before pointing the finger elsewhere.
Cllr Colin Saunderson
Liberal Democrat
St Ives Town Council