THE unpopular youth shelter in Sawtry is to go ahead, despite overwhelming protestations from the village populus. It seems that the minority will have their way and the rest of us must watch in dismay as all our negative predictions come true. Jackie Sta

THE unpopular youth shelter in Sawtry is to go ahead, despite overwhelming protestations from the village populus. It seems that the minority will have their way and the rest of us must watch in dismay as all our negative predictions come true.

Jackie Stanbridge (parish clerk) has returned from Manchester as an envoy of the village to present us with a trophy "which recognises that Sawtry Parish Council is leading the field in its attitude and encouragement of its young people" (Hunts Post, September 27). The report goes on to say: "The decision to not only give the young people a voice, but actually to pay attention to what they are saying, despite the opinion of a few individuals that the young people are not deserving of a chance, has been nationally and publicly applauded. The councillors have remained resolute despite some pretty appalling intimidation by some residents, and deserve this award."

The "few individuals" are more in number than alluded to in the report, and it is those individuals who will probably have £50,000 knocked off the value of their houses overnight because of these short-sighted councillors and their dictatorial attitude to the electorate.

Once we had three bus shelters - two wooden and one brick. Because of these youths, the wooden ones have long since disappeared and the brick one has deteriorated because of graffiti and the disappearance of the slate roof tiles from time to time. We know the culprits were the very people that this barmy council is pandering to today.

The solution would be to place the youth shelter where one of the bus shelters was. In that way, the youths would look after their "charge" and the public (whom they robbed of a shelter) could benefit, too. Fat chance!

How can you trust teenagers with a youth shelter when they are incapable of putting litter in a bin that's only four feet away from them, preferring to throw it on the floor instead.

Remember these things, Sawtry, when the next election time comes around.

ALAN FIELDING, Fen Lane, Sawtry