We were disappointed to see, while taking an autumnal visit to the park in September, that the slide on the main climbing frame was out of action. Autumn went and winter came and still the only sign of activity on the repair of the slide was the temporary cordon had been replaced with a more robust barrier.

Eventually, my curiosity got the better of me, so I contacted the 'best council in the UK'. I received a polite and prompt reply stating that the original plan to replace the slide had proved too costly and so the council was seeking a contractor to carry out a repair on the slide. I was assured the repair would be completed by Easter, some six months after the damage had occurred.

Having visited the park the week before Easter, I noted the repair had still not been carried out, so I again inquired on the progress. I again received a prompt reply informing me the appointed contractor was unable to carry out the repair due to the materials of construction.

The decision now taken by 'the best council in the UK' was to replace the slide, which would be done within the next eight weeks, some nine months after the original damage!

Surely, some simple investigative work in September would have ascertained the correct solution.

I would imagine if any commercial enterprise acted like our council with such lack of haste and disregard for their customers, they would probably be out of business.

Dr A Dilks,
Darcy Close, Bury St Edmunds.


So proud of our schools

I feel I must write to express the pride I have in our primary and middle schools.

I work at Breckland Middle School, in Brandon, and talk of restructuring of middle schools cannot go unnoticed.

However, I would like to say that we middle schools are doing a fabulous job and this was shown last week at our school, where we hosted a Cluster Concert, joined by Glade, Elveden and Forest primary schools.

The concert was absolutely fantastic. The Year 4 children stood proudly on stage in front of a full audience of adoring fans and performed with great gusto and confidence – something many adults would not do.

We are looking forward to welcoming them to Breckland Middle School in September.

Breckland's own pupils performed outstandingly and showed just what a middle school in Suffolk is capable of – wonderful stuff.

Congratulations to all staff – especially Mrs O – and pupils involved.

You are a credit to your schools.

Sadie Reeve,
Address supplied.


Will scheme save town?

How thought-provoking the Bury Free Press has been lately.

First, the puzzle of St Edmundsbury Borough Council topping the list of the Audit Commission's best performing councils.

Obviously, it wasn't for leaving soldiers in the cold on Angel Hill at their home-coming parade, neglecting heritage, ludicrous health and safety policies, nor planning controversies galore. How did St Edmundsbury manage it?

It turns out outgoing chief executive Deborah Cadman's last job was with the Audit Commission. Who better able to fill in the application forms and tick the necessary boxes than a former commission employee?

Case closed, methinks.

However, regarding the Cattle Market, there now comes a lukewarm defence of the shopping centre scheme from Cllr Nettleton (letters, Bury Free Press, March 14): "All we can say is that Bury St Edmunds is likely to continue to be a place people want to both move to and visit."

Well, this wasn't what we've been told about the Cattle Market, especially by pricey consultants. Former councillors declared it would be the 'most important development in 600 years', transforming our lives and 'saving the town from withering'. Indeed, so confident were our councillors that they read only a summary before signing the development contract.

If I was a councillor, I would be worrying about what I've signed and what costs I might be liable for.

Andrew Snowdon,
Pemberton Walk,
Bury St Edmunds.

Mad Cows braved snow

The children and staff at Scope Short Breaks – Suffolk (formerly the East Anglian Family Help Unit) would like to say a huge thank you to the Mad Cows Biker group which, despite the dreadful weather on Sunday, carried on their tradition of the Easter Egg Run.

They collected many Easter eggs for the children and young people who use our service and also raised more than £300.

We thank everyone who contributed.

We also extend our best wishes to the couple who came off their motorbike on the run and we wish them well, and to the very kind couple who came to their rescue and not only helped them at the time of the accident but also delivered the eggs they had collected to us here.

We think ourselves very fortunate to have the support of the bikers and the people in our community.

Sharon Wright,
Scope Short Breaks,
Shakers Lane, Bury.


Entranced by spheres

Re: UFO sightings (Bury Free Press, March 21).

In May 1952, on a clear, hot day, I and several other children were getting off the school bus just below the water tower in Priors Road (Ashwell Road).

One of the boys called out to us to look up. Over the top of the tower flew two spheres, silver in colour, with no sound.

Another boy claimed they were a new American plane and they all ran off home. But I stood fascinated as they hovered over the valley and watched until they had disappeared towards Horringer – probably about 10 minutes.

It wasn't until some months later, when I saw an article on them in the Daily Mirror, that I realised they were anything special.

If anybody remembers this, I should love to know.

Jill Crouch,
Gloucester Road, Bury.


Thank you

Having recently given birth to our beautiful baby daughter, Caitlin Jessica, at West Suffolk Hospital, in Bury St Edmunds, we would like to say the care we received was fantastic.

In fact, the care we received all the way through the pregnancy (which wasn't the most straightforward of pregnancies) from the hospital and the community was superb – we cannot fault it.

The NHS has had an abundance of negative press in recent months, maternity services in particular. However, we feel that here in West Suffolk we have a first-class maternity service we should be proud of.

We would like to say a big thank you to everyone involved at the hospital (CDS, F11 and ante-natal) and to the Blackbourne midwives – keep up the good work.

Claire and Andy Banham,
The Croft, Bardwell.


Badge hunt

As A paramedic and collector of ambulance insignia, I am trying to locate certain cap badges to complete my collection, which, to date, numbers some 320 items.

Currently, I am seeking a badge from the old West Suffolk Ambulance Service and I wondered if readers might be able to help?

Tony Hughes,
5 Edwards Terrace,
Pentwyn, Quakers Yard,
Mid Glamorgan CF46 5DA.


Allow trade to flourish

My objection to the proposal by Richard Rout and Paul Farmer for a Saturation Policy on licensed premises within the historic core (letters, March 7) needs some clarification, as it is my fear that not just 'empty premises' will result from this policy. It is also employment and enjoyment opportunities for local people.

The timing of the announcement in proximity to the town council election and the lack of consultation with people like myself, whom it will directly affect, despite ample opportunity, leaves me feeling that I do have something to fear.

My business has been used as a political football and councillors imposing conditions on my business last year has cost jobs and reduced profitability and created commercial inequality. The historic core is in the town centre and by definition this is a commercial hub, where trade should be allowed to flourish, be treated positively and supported by councillors for the reward that it brings to the townspeople.

People who choose to live in this area should be allowed a proportionate input. I live in the historic core, too.

A forum can address the issues with the evening economy but it should have been created at the outset of the changes to the licensing laws in 2003, as is suggested in the pre-amble to the Act. The sooner it happens the better for everyone wanting to get away from the negative image that keeps arising from policies such as councillors Farmer and Rout's suggestion.

Genuinely addressing binge drinking is a complex task. Licensed premises in the area are not responsible for cut-price supermarket alcohol, uni-student style drinking, the smoking law or underage drinking in car-parks.

Instead, we work with Pubwatch, in partnership with the police, to reduce anti-social behaviour and promote the responsible sale of alcohol.

People are entitled to enjoy the benefits of living in Bury St Edmunds day and night.

I am certain that there are worse places to live.

Increasing the burden on licensed premises by policies such as this is unfair in a sector already covered adequately by legislation and bullied by taxation.

Mike Garling,
licensee, Hide Bar,
Whiting Street,
Bury St Edmunds.


Research not acted upon

I have read letters on the subject of Meares-Irlen Syndrome (Bury Free Press, March 14).

I, too, have a son who, a few years back was diagnosed with this syndrome.

We went to Wigram and Ware, where Miss Hart, through her own personal experience, has a great understanding and sympathy of children with reading difficulties. I was so fascinated with this particular subject that I did a short investigatory project at college.

I found that Meares-Irlen Syndrome is treated with a great deal of scepticism, particularly among education professionals.

Early research in the 1990s was funded by the Irlen Centres, which had no scientific rationale to back their claims, but ongoing scientific research has given credence to the fact that coloured overlays and tinted glasses do help alleviate some of the symptoms of Meares-Irlen Syndrome.

Much of this scientific research has been carried out here in the east at the University of Essex.

It is also a misconception that Meares-Irlen affects just those children with a learning difficulty such as dyslexia. The tests used for assessing children are becoming more widely available at a number of optometrists. However, as they are of a specialised nature, most optometrists charge a private fee. As Suffolk Health Authority does not recognise coloured lenses as prescriptive but cosmetic, the lenses, too, will incur extra expense.

Much of the research at the University of Essex was conducted under contract to the Department of Education and Skills and Department of Health. Given the general attitude towards Meares-Irlen, it is questionable as to whether the results of that research will ever be acted on.

My opinion is that this is probably down to ownership of the problem, if it is going to be acted on, who will fund it, the DFES or DoH?

My overall conclusion was that collectively both the DFES and the DoH should be providing a national visual screening programme for all children with reading difficulties.

As literacy skills are statistically proven to have an impact on health, income and employment in adulthood, shouldn't all children be given the start they need?

Julie Glenn,
Downing Close,
Bury St Edmunds.


Falling stars

I would just like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped me after my fall outside Laura Ashley shop, in Bury, on Saturday, March 15 – especially to the paramedic and his wife who just happened to be passing by (what luck for me), the lady from Laura Ashley, who brought out a cushion for my head, and the lady who called the ambulance. I am very grateful to you all.

I am very bruised but okay – haven't even got a broken nose.

Daphne Jones,
Stanton.

I would like to thank the two women who came to my assistance when I fell in Short Brackland, Bury, last Tuesday morning. Without their help I would be there yet.

My thanks, also, to the ambulance crew and staff at A&E, West Suffolk Hospital, for their prompt and expert attention.

Roy Boughton,
Bury St Edmunds.