Tax-dodging pop stars and business people appear to receive knighthoods, OBEs or MBEs and I suppose Lewis Hamilton will be a recipient of such an award in the not-so-distant future.

What a pity Lynn was not officially recognised for his philanthropy during his lifetime.
E M Medcraft,
Georges Avenue, Bugbrooke.

MP Sally's words made me angry
I cannot tell you how angry I was to read the article in the Chronicle & Echo of November 14 about the reprieve for Post Office branches, where you quoted Labour MP for Northampton North Sally Keeble as welcoming the Government's decision to stop the tender for the Post Office card account.

Mrs Keeble's Government has closed more than 3,000 post offices since it has been in power and what has Mrs Keeble done about it? Absolutely nothing!

Earlier in the year, another six post offices closed in our town.
In Northampton, Mrs Keeble tried to pass herself off as trying to save them, while in Parliament – again – what did she do? Nothing.

She has never once criticised her own Government's policies which have led to the closure of so many post offices, yet now she claims, in her words, it is "wonderful news" that the Government has changed its mind.

I hope that when the next General Election comes, the general public will take note of this particular issue and vote for an immediate change, to give us instead an MP whose actions are matched by their words.
Grant Bowles,
Beaconsfield Terrace, Northampton.

Concern for dog not on the lead
I offer sincere apologies to Rosemary Rafferty and her family re their dog being scared by fireworks. I obviously made an incorrect assumption.

My concern was raised by an incident a few years ago.

I was walking a guide dog pup in Duston and about 50 yards in front of me was an elderly man with a pushchair with a child in it.

About 20 yards behind him was an ageing black Labrador, which turned and saw me and the puppy.

It started walking toward us and in doing so crossed the road, causing two motorists to stop and allow the dog to walk across the road.
It was fortunate they were both slowing for a junction.

A short while later, I caught up with the dog owner and made a comment to him about events involving his dog.

I was told in no uncertain terms to go away and mind my own business (I'm sure most readers will be aware of the phrase used).

I am pleased to hear that Rosemary's dog is well and hope the car driver is over the shock. The car driver is the last person considered by the careless owners who do not use a lead.

Once again, apologies to Rosemary and her family.
John Canning,
Main Road, Duston, Northampton.

Bus memories wanted for book
I am trying to get together material for my research on early bus and coach operators in and around Northampton that are no longer with us, or are part of a modern day grouping, but not those outside the county at this stage.

I am in urgent need of owners and company names, location of garage and offices, starting and winding-up dates, routes and areas covered, photos and cuttings.

These items, with the owner's permission, will be photocopied and scanned and, if at any time in the future they are used as part of any publication, the owners of the material will be acknowledged.

The following are just a few of these operators: Premier Coaches Guilsborough, Knights Northampton, Yorks Northampton, Souls Olney, Shelton Osborns, Tayors Daventry/Long Buckby, Westleys Stoke Goldington, United Counties and all its outposts and, last but by no means least, Charlie Wright and his Jolly Rogers, known locally as Jolty Rogers.

I'm sure many readers have fond memories of these bus/coach companies and hopefully some helpful material as well.
Reg Johnson,
20 Whiteland Road, Headlands, Northampton, NN3 2QG.

Council needs the right people
The issue concerning councillors' pay increases continues.

A defence for this is that it will encourage others to get involved.
It's not about tempting others, it's about getting the right people involved.

Representation under the current system, by way of a political party, has for years now produced a revolving process of the same old faces of failure, many of them holding various committee positions.

Local authority is about ability to successfully administer a multi-million pound budget.

It would not be considered increasing the hospital porter's pay in the hope he could fulfil the surgeon's responsibilities.

That apart, what responsible person would wish to be involved in such infantile behaviour as walking out of a meeting through a desire not to sit next to someone, or starting squabbling which charity unaccepted pay increases go to?

I know only of Tony Clarke through the Chronicle & Echo columns but his independent status is, I feel, our only salvation.
Jeffrey Webb,
Whitegates,
West Hunsbury, Northampton.

Put town before personal gain
What has happened to that feeling of pride and pleasure to be an active borough councillor in Northampton? To think that high payments would attract the right people is sheer stupidity.

The people we wish to watch over and guide our welfare, do so with pride and honesty.

How times have changed.

Town councillors used to consist of your local tradesman, doctors, chemists, solicitors . . . all with personal love for the town they represented.

Their reward was the pride and respect they earned as a result of their dedication and genuine interest in the town's welfare.

I trust that, at future elections, the electorate will bear in mind before casting their vote (for whichever party) that it will be for the candidate who will be putting the town's interest before his own personal gain.
Jim Hawkins,
Cheddar Close, Duston, Northampton.

Twin tracks for walking and riding
Reading the letters about an outdoor gym proposed for Abington Park, Northampton, I thought you might be interested in this picture I took three years ago in Vancouver.

This shows part of a two-lane track segregated for walkers and runners, while cyclists, roller skates and roller blades use the other.

I saw a similar example in Calgary, which was in constant use.
Tony Underlin,
Pytchley Drive, Long Buckby.