I agree with the letters from Steve Thompson, Anne Bennett and T Reynolds (Adver, March 6). Swindon must protect its green spaces for future generations. When I came to Swindon 45 years ago, you could walk almost across town on grass. Now, thanks to resurfacing work and the ‘dogs’ breakfast’ at Whalebridge, you can barely drive across town. Yes there is an election in May that accounts for resurfacing. The Whalebridge we will have to live with. But there is no excuse for the continued loss of green space to developers. In the UK, councils must supply recreational green areas and allotments for residents; Swindon is lacking in both. Recent history has shown this Tory administration will sell any space to a ‘developer’. While he was Clerk to Swindon in the 1950s, David Murray John bought up land for the council; this enabled steady planned growth of the town: now it’s ‘market forces’ which dictate the activity. Soon it will be water shortages and flooding which limit growth; where will the developers be then? It is time Swindon’s people took back control of our town. Let us build a sustainable town, a town to be proud of, and not a town built by market forces. Mike Spry Nythe Swindon

Food for thought

Food prices have increased, along with many other products, due to the soaring cost of fuel. What I want to know is, if there is a big fuel duty cut in this month’s budget, will we see the price of food, etc, come down again? Remember when there was a shortage of potatoes, the price of chips went up. But when we then had plenty of potatoes, did chips come down in price. NO. Let’s be honest. A great deal of our manufacturing is done by those paying a minimum wage to foreign workers therefore saving money. So please bring the food prices down. I’m afraid a cut in fuel prices won’t help those who have not got a car. Mr B W Breakspear Deburgh Street Swindon

Bug them on litter

I read with interest about Mrs Pook clearing litter on Buckhurst Field and a local councillor trying to get together a group to pick up litter to help her pick it up. This is not necessary as Swindon council is responsible for litter clearance. Just as it is illegal to drop litter, it is also illegal for the council not to clear litter. Mrs Pook should not do the work that the council should do and charges her and every other tax payer in the borough for doing. She should get a Litter Abatement Order, then the council would have to clear the litter or face a hefty fine. She or the people helping her should photograph the litter and then write to the council and ask them to clear it. If this is not done they should write to the chief executive officer and show him the previous letter and the photos and inform him of their intention of getting a litter abatement order. It is extremely unlikely that the litter would not be cleared at this point. If the litter is still not cleared, take more photos and take them to the magistrates court along with the previous photographs and correspondence and ask for a Litter Abatement Order. The council would then be obliged to clear the litter or face hefty fines. Steve Thompson Norman Road, Swindon

Jump to aid of MS

The MS Trust is looking for daredevils in Swindon and the surrounding area to take part in an exhilarating skydive! Imagine the thrill of jumping out of a plane at 10,000ft and then flying through the air at around 120mph. Take part in the MS Trust’s group skydiving day at Redlands Airfield in Swindon on 5 May and you can do just this! Join other MS Trust supporters who will be jumping from the skies to raise funds towards our work, supporting many of the 100,000 people in the UK with multiple sclerosis. If you raise a minimum of £395 in sponsorship you can jump for free. The MS Trust will support you all the way with lots of ideas and tips to help you reach your fundraising target and will of course be there on the day to cheer you on. Places for this event are limited and the deadline to sign up is 23 March, so if you are interested please contact us now! Ring the MS Trust on 01462 476707 or visit www.mstrust.org.uk/jump Claire Gambrell Fundraising officer Multiple Sclerosis Trust

Older and wiser

Just as I was about to sit down to my evening meal tonight, my telephone rang. On picking it up a gentleman asked me if I would be prepared to take part in a three-minute survey on Swindon shopping. I agreed and he asked me my age. Replying over 21, he then asked me if I was 55 years or over. When I replied in the affirmative he apologised and said he was only interested in talking about Swindon shopping to the under-55 age group. So there you have it, if you are 55 years or over your opinions on Swindon shopping no longer count. Shopping in Swindon is not great in my opinion, now I know they no longer want my custom I will take my hard-earned cash somewhere else. R J Payne Wheeler Avenue Swindon