I HAVE been out of touch with the day-to-day running of St Ives for a number of years, although I was born there. My parents ran businesses in the town for over 25 years and my mother was founder-member of the Mencap group in the town for over 10 years un

I HAVE been out of touch with the day-to-day running of St Ives for a number of years, although I was born there. My parents ran businesses in the town for over 25 years and my mother was founder-member of the Mencap group in the town for over 10 years until her death in 1970.

I have only just read the notice regarding the sale of the town's Corn Exchange - a very sad day when a course of action such as this should be even contemplated.

I will not regale you with the wonderful times I have spent there, from great nights of dancing and music to sales and even, would you believe, exchanges of corn.

To contemplate the sale is a dereliction of duty by the elected representatives entrusted with keeping the town as a community. We are threatened as a country by thousands of malignant bodies and communities taking over control of the day-to-day running of local bodies: now the unthinkable, the sale of the heart of the old St Ives.

Not knowing the town council, I wonder how many of them have been born in the town, or even make their living in the town. They certainly do not have the best interest of the community at heart. A town with no formal centre is a soulless and barren society.

The electorate must show that they care for the town when it comes to the next round of voting and throw these mindless midgets from any positions of responsibility for local affairs.

TONY WALKEY

Kings Lynn

IT BECAME obvious that the town council had decided long before the meeting that it would sell the building and site regardless of the case that ACE presented so well.

Only four councillors voted to keep the Corn Exchange. The other 10 councillors blatantly ignored the wishes of the people in St Ives whom they represent.

I was overwhelmed by their arrogance and lack of vision.

I just hope that St Ives voters will remember this when these councillors are up for election next May. St Ives deserves better representation than the present council has portrayed.

MARILYN ZANCONATO

Parkside

St Ives

I WAS not too impressed with the council's attitude towards the public being present. I thought there would be a question time towards the end of the meeting, which did not happen. Councillors were rude and demeaning on a few occasions towards some of the townspeople when they tried to ask any appropriate questions.

If the councillors want the St Ives electors' support in the future, then perhaps they need to review their public relations.

I would like to congratulate ACE on a professional presentation at the meeting and for their support in the fight to save the Corn Exchange from extinction. It will be interesting to see what happens to the building when it is sold off. The council may live to regret the decision, given time.

Mrs M LEAPER

West Leys

St Ives

ACE's presentation was professional and detailed. They were clear and made some very good points about keeping an historic and community-supported building running in the future.

The town council then produced its presentation, which was nowhere as professional. They seemed to prolong the meeting so that the public had no time to ask any questions. One gentlemen was told in no uncertain terms that the public had no say, which most of the audience and I felt was belittling and rude.

The town council then drew the meeting to a conclusion with their final votes, the outcome being against saving the Corn Exchange, which showed they had probably made their decision prior to the meeting.

If the councillors want the townspeople to continue their support, then perhaps they should start listening to the public's points of view in the future.

Mrs AN STOREY

Waveney Road

St Ives