If this was not so serious as it is then I would find the picture of those so called "professionals" sitting behind that table with the sign "working together" quite laughable. But it is not.

I take it that these people are paid to safeguard the welfare of children or whatever their role is. They have failed to do this but not one of them will resign or lose their jobs and that infuriates me.

I also would like to ask how many more so-called lessons can be learned by these people?

Surely past cases should have thrown up thousands of lessons.

Unfortunately this is the same old scenario that in time will be forgotten until another case rears its head and then this pathetic excuse at learning lessons will start all over again.
Robert Murby,
Larkrise, Woodfields, Northampton.

Shock at guns at balloon festival
On Saturday I attended the Northampton Balloon Festival with my children.

While walking around the site, I came across the Army recruitment stall.

At the front of the stall there was a table with a number of guns on display including one handgun.

I pointed out to the soldiers behind the table that it was not a good idea to be promoting handguns in the present climate of knife and gun crime.

They ignored my concerns so I complained to the organisers of the festival.

About an hour-and-a-half later, I went back to the stall and the guns were still on display.

I complained to the soldiers and they responded with, "if it was not for the guns and the soldiers we would all be speaking German".

I continued to argue with them peacefully without raising my voice, swearing or threatening language, that they should not be allowing young children to play with the guns but they would not listen.

The next thing I knew I was surrounded by police officers and threatened with arrest for breaching the peace.

I pointed out to them that I was making a peaceful protest as supported by Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. I then left.

My point in this letter is that should we be promoting the use of guns at events like the balloon festival? We know that the army use guns so why have them on display and allow children to handle them?

Also how free is this country when I am not allowed to peacefully protest about a subject close to many people's hearts?
Caoimhin OMathuna,
Monarch Road,
Northampton.

Bureau is unable to help everyone
I was pleased to see the Chron picking up on the recent repossession figures (August 16). It's a massive issue and one that I suspect will affect Northampton more than other areas.

The Chron was right also to identify the personal consequences of repossession proceedings.

Many will find it easy to lay the blame at the foot of the debtor.
The reality however, is that the modern workplace is insecure and payment protection insurance is often found wanting.

There has also been an, until recent, common perception that buying and speculating on house purchases is without risk.

Under these circumstances many will begin to see friends and relatives, if not themselves, with serious debt problems leading to actual or threatened repossession.

Northampton and District Citizens Advice Bureau, like other organisations helping people at the 11th hour of repossession proceedings, is a charity.

It is also independent. As the organisation approaches its 70th anniversary, and as one of the institutions that helps the town derive a sense of civic identity, our funders, benefactors and clients should derive some reassurance from knowing that we have quietly become one of the most productive and effective CAB in the country based upon income.

But we are also, and almost uniquely, in demand.

The Chron is right to identify independent advice agencies like the CAB as offering a lifeline to those who are in trouble. But debt advice, of the sort that can keep families in homes, is a time consuming process.

As an organisation, we are not immune to rising prices and principle funding has reduced in real terms in recent years.

We will not therefore be able to help everyone and I hope people are understanding of us.

I also hope that new partnerships and robust funding can be found to enable us to continue our work.
Martin Lord,
Manager,
Northampton Citizens Advice Bureau.

Prescriptions must be free
I am writing to support Macmillan Cancer Support's campaign for free prescriptions in England.

No one should be in a position where they can't afford to pay for their prescriptions, yet for one in 10 cancer patients aged 55 and under who have to pay for their prescriptions, this is exactly what happens.

The Government is due to publish a consultation to review prescription charges soon, but it has already said it is not prepared to spend one extra penny on prescriptions. This means that any reform will inevitably involve some patients losing out . . . in effect, robbing Peter to pay Paul.

I am extremely concerned that this consultation will be nothing more than tinkering with an inherently unfair system and call on the Government to make prescriptions free in England.
Chas Voss,
The Banks, Long Buckby.