Not only do we now have giant concrete arrows but also numerous concrete spheres that look like overweight Daleks, that will display even more signage than we already have.
All of this for the sum of £46,000 of public money.
What does concern me is not whether it is considered art or not but the fact that it has been imposed upon us without any warning and without public consultation.
Mrs Crow-Mathews is quoted as saying "that there was a day-long open exhibition at the University".
If this was the case, why then did the public not know about it?
What I would like to know is what else do the Friends of The Racecourse have planned for us that we haven't been told about?
The Racecourse is not a pocket park that can be messed with by a few local residents but is a major historical asset to the town of Northampton.
It is a magnificent open space and is outstanding. It is not for filling with clutter and changing out of all recognition.
So please, Friends of Northampton Racecourse, be a friend and leave it alone.
Sue Westley,
Park Corner, St James,
Northampton.

Bunglers . . . but they have vision
IT was disappointing to read Joan Kirkbride (Viewpoint, April 30) resorting to that horrid expression "value for money".
I have repeatedly pointed out that politics should be about value for people rather than value for money.
Despite their bungling, the Lib Dems do seem to have this vision.
I respect they took over in a poor position, which is very historic, and I do not think the previous administration contributed much either way.
We have yet to see their fruits, but they may well appear in the coming year.
BCR (Benefit to Cost Ratio) is of course a sensible measure, but when people are excluded from the formula it makes it nonsensical.
PFI is an invention of our right-wing New Labour Government and imposed on local authorities.
Private finance means that the private sector wants to make money out of education. Is that value for people?
Perhaps Councillor Kirkbride should give the Government credit for PFI.
Many on our county council do indeed respect value for people.
Let us hope we see more of this and less of things like cutting support for the more disadvantaged, who are people like the rest of us.
Colin Bricher,
Local Spokesman, Christian Peoples Alliance party,
Northampton.

Give us some answers Bill!
IN response to a challenge from Philip Hollobone, the Prime Minster reminded him that Northamptonshire had received £250m
. . . nearly 15 per cent of the funds available nationally for growth areas.
Tory county councillor responsible for finance, Councillor Bill Parker, immediately said it wasn't enough.
Given that this is the same Councillor Parker who not only failed to spot county council borrowing up by £60m last month but also has so far failed to offer any explanation to councillors – as he promised – I have to ask what he bases this assertion on? Does he have any facts to support his claim?
So, two questions for you now Councillor Parker:
What about the £60m?
What about the facts on the growth agenda money?
Councillor Les Patterson,
Thorplands Ward, Northamptonshire County Council.
Looney Left calls me a fascist
IF Del Pickup thinks I am a fascist for discussing immigration and warning of the electoral success of the BNP, he proves the point I made; that the Looney Left and the immigration industry will brand anybody who tries to discuss uncontrolled immigration as a racist or, in my case, a fascist.
I take comfort that 84 per cent of the population has the same concerns on immigration as me. Would Mr Pickup put us all in a concentration camp for political retraining?
BNP polled 32 per cent of the vote in Drayton Ward, Daventry, and won a seat in the London Assembly in last week's elections. I expect he would like those voters shot!
My main concern is this country is overpopulated and what's left of it is being concreted over to provide 100,000 new homes in this county alone. With global warming and rising sea levels, and falling food supplies, we should be keeping safe all our farm land and heath land, not flogging it off for short-term profit.
If I thought they could get their act together, I would vote Green, but they can't so I won't.
John Wright,
Port Road, Northampton.

It's not simple
A recent request brought a leaflet on opening a new bank savings account. I did what it said. After a few telephone calls, I now have 10 A4 sheets of paper, together with a book on "how to" and two small books of information.
One of them told me how to change my pin number. "Simply" go to your post office. I went. Neither the postmaster nor his assistant knew what to do. They tried two machines and neither worked.
I'm still "simply" waiting.
Owen Bryce,
Blisworth.

The best tribute
Just a few lines to thank BBC Radio Northampton for the excellent tribute they broadcast to the memory of the late jazz trumpeter and bandleader, Humphrey Lyttelton. Many tributes have been broadcast and published, but none better than that by BBC Northampton's Paul Barnes in his programme of Saturday April 26, followed by a summary on May 3.
Well done BBC Northampton, and indeed Paul Barnes.
Stan White,
Stanley Street, Rothwell.

Path repaired
A few weeks ago we wrote to tell you about the uneven pavements outside our school. We were worried that someone might get hurt if they fell over one.
We are pleased to say that Mr Strachan, our local councillor, listened to our worries and was able to contact colleagues who repaired the pavements last week.
This is good news for members of the public and our school.
Vernon Terrace Primary School Council,
Vernon Terrace, Northampton.

A grand day out
I would like to say how good the family fun event at The Racecourse was on Sunday, April 27. I really enjoyed it and took part in lots of activities, so did my grandma.
It was good for children and adults to get involved in sports. I hope we are going to have it again. Thank you to whoever organised it. I hope you will do it again.
Alice Hall (11),
Oliver Street, Kingsley, Northampton.

Workers suffer as H&S cash is cut
Last week I was very privileged to attend an event to commemorate Workers' Memorial Day, organised by the union Unite.
On this day we remember workers who have been killed doing their jobs: up to 1,700 this year.
World-wide, over two million are killed, which is more than die through war or AIDS.
Around 50,000 also die from work-related diseases, of which about 5,000 are from asbestos. These people are not remembered in the same way.
The purpose behind Workers' Memorial Day has always been to "remember the dead: fight for the living". In the trade unions, we are fighting to improve health and safety at work.
Traditionally, penalties for employers who break health and safety guidelines, leading to death, injury and illness, have been laughably low.
The Government has now introduced the Corporate Manslaughter Act, but a conviction can only be brought against a company, not an individual.
Worse still, Government has continued to cut the number of health and safety inspectors and their budget. In 2007, the Health and Safety Executive only secured 12 convictions. Compare this with 980 convictions secured by the RSPCA in 2005.
The average firm only gets an inspection once every 14.5 years. Perhaps our MPs would like to commit themselves to working to reverse these cuts and expanding the HSE.
Those in union-organised workplaces are safer and are more likely to have active H&S representatives.
Many readers will be suffering from health problems caused by their work, or be working in dangerous conditions. Examples might include: pain caused by poor seating at a checkout or in an office or by lifting; inadequate guards round machinery; stress from bullying or long hours; poor heating or ventilation; lack of proper safety procedures or equipment, or not having proper training on machinery.
If you think you have H&S problems at work which need resolving, talk to your union representative or, alternatively, contact Trades Council via our website (ntuc.org.uk) or phone 01604 709757. Poor health and safety at your workplace can make your life a misery or even cause illness, injury or loss of life. Don't wait until it is too late.
Sarah Ansell,
Secretary,
Northampton Trades Union Council.