IT is always nice to read the views of new correspondents to the letters page of the Adver so Mr Thomas Gerreston’s letter of May 5 is very welcome indeed. Thankfully, a mixture of democracy, press freedom, tolerant editors and long suffering readers has enabled my letters to be published in the Adver for over 40 years - I think that anyone who knows me will confirm that I have an opinion on every subject under the sun and over the 40 years I have attempted to articulate a viewpoint based on such facts as I know and where there is an absence of fact, on a considered basis.

My comments on the saga of speed limit trials in Old Town centred on the issue of honesty in the response made by Swindon council to the residents’ action group as opposed to the necessity or otherwise of such speed limits. Although it would appear that the police thought a proper survey might have been appropriate before making a decision on policy.

Mr Gerreston asks whether I have fun when not writing letters to the Adver, I can assure him and your readers that I do indeed have a life outside of writing letters, however I do not consider the compiling of a letter to be a chore or a task and while I cannot claim to be a witty writer in the style of Greg Dunningham or a purveyor or homely truths such as Les Fox; I do enjoy the opportunity to engage in spirited debate with other regular contributors such as M J Warner and Mike Spry. It is also the case that the letters page offers the reader the opportunity to publicly question, challenge and, horror of horrors, even disagree with a stated opinion whether that be from a reporter or contributor. Long may such opportunity be afforded through the medium of the Adver.

DES MORGAN Caraway Drive Swindon