Last year was probably the worst display ever seen in the town and as a result I am sure we lost out on potential millions in sales.

Most towns/cities organise their Xmas campaigns at the start of the year for the forthcoming year, unfortunately we are somewhat behind already! Can the Chron launch a campaign to perhaps kickstart some interest? We are constantly taking about making the town a better place so perhaps for the six week 'Christmas decoration period' we can have a display to be proud of?

I'm sure local businesses would contribute and perhaps the shoppers by way of a raffle, scratch card, etc? I would appreciate your help!
Peter Cottle
Whaddon Close,
West Hunsbury.

Impressed by Street Doctor
I am writing to you to say how impressed I was with Northampton Borough Council for investigating a drainage blockage, which was due to the heavy rainfall we experienced last week.

On Saturday, September 6, heavy rain caused my garden to flood. I was advised to contact Street Doctor to find out whose responsibility this would fall under.

On Monday, September 8, I contacted Street Doctor, who gave me a unique reference number so when I called back in a day or two, as advised, Iwould not have to explain the situation again but be dealt with in a timely manner.

On Wednesday, September 10, I called Street Doctor again who were able to confirm that Northampton Borough Council were responsible for these drains, because of the location.

I was immediately transferred through to the environmental department, who were extremely helpful and advised me that a drainage specialist would call round to my property within a day or two.

On Friday, September 12, my drains were cleared by Northampton Borough Council's drainage team.

I had total confidence that I would be offered the best possible service, as I was looked after from the moment I made the first phone call to Street Doctor and I have been extremely impressed at the level of service I was given.

Thank you Northampton Borough Council, you deserve this recognition, and thank you to all the staff who were involved in sorting this problem out for me.
From a very happy resident, Darren Michael
Maidencastle,
Northampton.

You'll find shops on the moon!
Re the nation's favourite visitor attraction (Chron, Sept 11).

One of the Take 5 panel mentioned Oxford Street as an attraction, and named Top Shop and Primark as favourite shops! You can find these shops anywhere.

There are probably some on the Moon.

They are ten-a-penny, for goodness sake.

They are in our town centre too, and I do not find them very exciting at all.

They are just like massive jumble sales.

I went to Stonehenge for my birthday earlier this year, and that is one special place.

There are some strange vibes going on there.

Maybe it is because I am sensitive I could feel these vibes, but I just loved the whole experience of walking around these ancient stones, and wondering at the mystery of it all.

(I even met the big security guard from the X Factor, big Tony, who was on duty).

I also went to romantic Bath, and visited the Roman Baths.

That place was also like being on another planet, or heaven.

It was spotless, the parking was cheap, the shops were all little interesting vintage boutiques, lots of one-off independent shops, and cosy little art galleries, little tea-shops under tunnels, which were like something out of Lord Of The Rings, and many were open until late.

Everything about it was so glamorous and romantic.

You really must go there before you die.

As for Loch Ness, whoever goes there will always look out into the Loch, hoping to see signs of the monster, and as for Stonehenge, well, Stonehenge rocks! Primark doesn't.
Margaret Arnold
Upper-Thrift Street,
Abington, Northampton.

Who's in charge of station steps?
I frequently use the steps down to the Grosvenor Centre/Bus Station from Newland (off Church Lane) as do many other pedestrians.

These steps, and the area on either side of them, have been in a filthy and unhygienic state for many months.

This morning I had to sidestep a used nappy, lying dirty side up, in the centre of the steps. There were also the usual pizza boxes, cigarette packets, along with other assorted rubbish lying in the very long weeds on either side.

I really wonder if anyone takes responsibility for cleaning this area which is, after all, one of the main entrances to the Bus Station and shopping centre.
Jill Gibb,
By email.

Accident threat of taxi route change
now taxis are not allowed to turn left or right into Gold Street all traffic coming in from Far Cotton or that side of town is going to go up Bridge Street and with the amount of people using that road on Friday/Saturday night it is an accident waiting to happen.

Did the so-called town planner not realise this when this was being talked about or is this just another example of our so-called council leaders wasting taxpayers' money?
Ivor Richards
North Holme Court,
Northampton.

Thanks for rose queen reminder
this is just a quick message to say thanks to Nick Harvey for writing the article about the rose queen (August 30).

I was a Jimmy's End boy too and was in the rose queen ceremony on two occasions.

The article brought back so many memories, I even have a photo on my facebook of me in the black trousers, red coat with gold buttons brandishing a spear, so once again thank you.
David Fullthorpe
Sutcliffe Avenue,
Oldbrook, Milton Keynes.

Always raining on our Gordon
I quite like our PM Gordon Brown and his family and I hope they all enjoyed their recent holidays and the weather was nice because I feel Why does it always rain on me? by Travis is Gordon Brown's song at the moment.

I am fed up hearing the Tories repeating the time for change at the next General Election, but whenever the Tories are asked about their policies they respond by saying that it is too soon, that they will tell us their plans when the General Election is closer.

The alternative to Gordon Brown is the Conservative leader David Cameron and his boys.

Do you think they can do any better in the present economic climate? I don't.
E J Fitzpatrick
Ridgeway, Northampton.