AS you are reading this, what can you hear? I hear birdsong, a pair of collared doves on my chimney-pot cooing, the bells of Little Gransden Church chiming the hours, then Great Gransden church chiming a few seconds later. If I step outside, I hear the wo

AS you are reading this, what can you hear?

I hear birdsong, a pair of collared doves on my chimney-pot cooing, the bells of Little Gransden Church chiming the hours, then Great Gransden church chiming a few seconds later.

If I step outside, I hear the woodpecker pounding his way into a tree trunk and buzzards screeching as they circle up high.

We had to have the Cambridge Gliding Club when Stansted needed the Duxford airspace. The club often holds both national and regional competitions when 60 gliders come in and out of the airspace.

We had a Thompson Tui plane come over us at 4,000feet (height confirmed by Luton Airport) and it went straight through the gliding airspace.

We also have the British Aerobatic Champion Freestyle living here, and he practices over his airfield. How can he or his fellow competitors practice with the fear of jets ploughing into the airspace?

It seems to me that the safety of aeroplane passengers could not be guaranteed. We have 49 airfields in this area - look on the internet and you will see them.

Royal astronomers have moved here for the truly dark night skies. Famous wildlife photographers and painters are here for the peace and quiet and opportunity to see badgers, water voles, deer, owls, kites etc.

We have had friends sleep over, who say they couldn't sleep because it is too quiet. Not so for us, we cannot bear to think of our piece of England being spoilt.

Think how you will feel if the planes start stacking and holding over us next spring when it will be too late to have your say.

Please support the cause and go on the internet to www.ruralpeace.org.uk or view the consultation at www.nats.co.uk. If you have no access to internet, please contact your local parish council or the library. The consultation period runs from February 22 to May 22 and is basically internet-based. Since many people in the countryside do not have computers, a lot of people don't know what is going on.

KATHY MERRILL

Church Street

Little Gransden