For example, stating that more population would encourage multiple retailers to St Neots. The fact is that agents in the town already have a list of multiple retailers who would like to come to St Neots but they cannot find premises that are large enough.
Because so many of our small shops are listed buildings, they cannot be knocked down to make room for the larger units these multiples need.
So how will more population help? And if we could get these multiples and they attracted more shoppers, where would they park their cars?
They say that the infrastructure will be provided, such as schools and surgeries, but they are easy.

What about the sewers? Every time it rains, the sewers in the older parts of St Neots and Eynesbury cannot cope.
I have great fears that the 1,200 houses of Loves Farm, when added to the existing system, will cause extensive problems, so what would another 5,000 homes do?
It is a fact that in 1973 the St Neots UDC was worrying about the lack of capacity of sewers and processing when the whole problem was handed over to the water authority. What have they done since, apart from renewing a few pipes?

Perhaps all these new houses could be fitted with composting toilets.
When we get heavy rain, Hen Brook bursts its banks and threatens to (and occasionally does) flood homes in Eynesbury.
Any development in the so called golden triangle will only speed up the run-off into Hen Brook.
The current fields absorb rainfall, but Tarmac doesn't.
One councillor glibly talks about existing transport links. Is he referring to the packed trains that leave St Neots every morning? I have seen more room in a sardine can.

The buses to Cambridge are no better and regularly have to leave people at the bus stop in The Market Square because they are full.
So how would the people on the Cambridge Road get aboard?
The problem with all these plans is that they address what people call the social issues, more important are the engineering solutions which no one talks about because they are harder to solve.
R E Barnes
St Neots

Support for our hidden heroes

>>This year marks the centenary of the Territorial Army (TA) – the hidden heroes in our community.
Dedicated and professional, they balance their civilian lives with a regular commitment to training and, when called upon, serve alongside their colleagues in the regular army.
Winston Churchill referred to them as being "twice a citizen" - squeezing two jobs and two lives into the space in which others barely have time for one.

During this centenary year the Cambridgeshire branch of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) would like to thank the men and women of Cambridgeshire who unflinchingly dedicate themselves to their TA duties.
With the ongoing pressures on all our Armed Forces, TA and reserve members have been mobilised in numbers unprecedented in recent history.
They leave their civilian lives and families at home while they are deployed in the battle zones of Iraq or Afghanistan with all the accompanied hardships and dangers.

Having experienced situations that may be unimaginable to many of us, they return and – occasionally – find it difficult to settle back to civilian life.
SSAFA supports those who serve, those who used to serve and the families of both, including TA and Reserve Forces past and present.
We are able to provide practical and emotional support before and during deployment, on return and for the rest of their lives.

If you need help or advice, make direct contact with SSAFA Forces Help Division: Cambridge City and District 01223527299; Huntingdon and East Cambridgeshire 01480 812938 or Peterborough and Fenland 1733 314267.
Wing Cmdr Bob Carr
Brampton

Farewell to Bill

It was with a profound sense of loss and disbelief that St Ives Music and Drama Society (SIMADS) learned of the death of Bill Godfrey, a much valued member of this local club.
Bill joined the society back in 1977 when he took the role of musical director for the production of Calamity Jane.
He carried this role forward for many future productions, culminating in the 2001 production of Oklahoma. The works of Gilbert and Sullivan were a great love of Bill's and under his direction the society performed many of these well known operettas.

Bill was kind, often funny, sometimes forthright but, always the supreme professional, a master of his craft. The chorus used to joke that he could hear a wrong note at 20 paces.
His work with SIMADS was only one of his many musical facets but his dedication and enthusiasm for our productions was 100 per cent.
He helped the society grow musically over more than 20 years and was always ready to give extra help if requested.
 SIMADS will be the poorer for Bill's passing. Men of his talent and ability are rare and his memory will be much cherished – a fitting requiem for a Man of Music.
June Forway
secretary,
St Ives Music and Drama Society

Barbecue thanks

>> On behalf of our residents at Ford House in Eaton Ford, I would like to thank family and friends who supported our in-house annual barbecue and fete which was held recently.
A special thanks goes to the St Neots shops and retailers who donated many of the raffle prizes which helped to raise £245 for the residents' social funds.
Margaret Wilmott
Activities Co-ordinator
Ford House
Eaton Ford