We really need to support each other

I READ with avid interest the letters published in last week s Crow, along with the article on Page 2, Village turns out to oppose gypsy sites . The proposed parking charges in Royston, to be reimbursed for spending £10 in one shop, will merely retain t

I READ with avid interest the letters published in last week's Crow, along with the article on Page 2, "Village turns out to oppose gypsy sites".

The proposed parking charges in Royston, to be reimbursed for spending £10 in one shop, will merely retain the current interest in the town, which is quite frankly nothing.

I am in wonder how the surviving local shopkeepers maintain their businesses.

I then turn to Page 8, "Police to tackle village concerns," in relation to Melbourn.

In short, the residents are being asked to assist the authorities in respect of neighbouring policing.

It beggars belief, that on one hand we are asked for support, for a service, for which we pay our Council Tax and then in the same breath, we have to fight so hard to oppose such controversial planning applications.

I fully understand the upset of the Barkway residents in their concerns and indeed the implications that would be imposed on Royston and surrounding villages, if such a proposal should be agreed by the North Herts District Council's development control committee.

Taking into consideration the past few years, the demise of the town centre, the impact of Johnson Matthey's new developments, the extension of Tesco, the removal of the No 17 bus, where do we draw the line?

Can we put our faith back into the hands of the councillors that have been elected to protect the area's well-being? Residents of Royston and the surrounding villages should now take stock of all of the issues arising on a daily basis and support each other, so that we may all live, as once before, in an area that was safe, peaceful, and pleasurable.

JANE FARMER

Orchard Way, Royston