N D Edwards criticised me in his letter to the Advertiser, May 26, for poking my nose into Swindon's business.

I'd like him to know that I'm a Swindonian, born and bred, served in the RAF during the war, worked as a fitter "inside" and then moved to Burnley in 1956 for family reasons.

From 1980 until 1995 I led the campaign to abolish the fictional name of Thamesdown, and in 1997 my wife and I were guests of honour at the Civic Offices for the Vesting Day celebrations, when Swindon became a unitary authority.

I was presented with a plaque bearing the new Borough of Swindon coat of arms and it hangs proudly on the wall of my room.

That campaign cost me about £2,000 but as far as Swindon is concerned, I put my money where my mouth is.

It is obvious that Mr Edwards does not know the real meaning of civic pride.

Even the current mayor, Coun Mike Bawden, said he was not happy with the name of University of Bath in Swindon.

And he is not being true to Swindon when he lauds Bath over Swindon.

To say it is a top seat of learning is an impossible claim.

Compared to Oxford, Cambridge, Leeds, Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool etc, it is a minor university.

Further, Bath desperately needs cash from property developers (who will urbanise most of Coate) and the Government.

But it is arrogant enough to claim Swindon as an overspill site.

I like what I've read about the new council leader, Coun Roderick Bluh, and I would like to think he will accept the importance of Jean Saunders' amazing petition to preserve Coate.

And why can't Swindon create its own university, as other towns and cities have?

"If they can do it why can't we?

I trust Coun Bluh and all Swindon's councillors will maintain the town's dignity and identity and not be swayed by external influence.

ERIC BEINT

PadihamBurnley