IN reply to Iain Crew (April 25), I shall vote for the existing 12 independent candidates. As chairman of Little Paxton Colts Football Club, I have for the last two years had many dealings with the parish council and I have found them to be very supportiv

IN reply to Iain Crew (April 25), I shall vote for the existing 12 independent candidates.

As chairman of Little Paxton Colts Football Club, I have for the last two years had many dealings with the parish council and I have found them to be very supportive not just of the colts but also of all the other groups in the village. They have only one aim as far as I can see and that is to keep party politics out of the parish. They adopt a policy of listening to all and through debate and consultation push for what is best for all in the village regardless of age.

Ian Crew in his letter said: "No doubt this inflation-busting increase in parish council income is intended for the good cause of paying for the improvements to the village children's playground."

All play equipment and proposed equipment has come from fund-raising and sponsorship, along with money from developers. I assume that Iain Crew was not at the meeting that I attended. If he had been, he would be aware that the use of the developer's money had conditions as to what it could be spent on.

I do not wish to try to persuade people as to whom they should vote for but I do have a concern over a group of eight people who have put themselves up for election calling themselves "Listening for Democratic Change". Having met and listened to some of them at a recent village meeting and their views on the park and its use, and their objection to the building of a multi-use games arena, I have concerns for the village if they are elected.

Eighty per cent of the village voted for this MUGA, yet these people, who mostly live around the park, seem hell-bent on stopping its progress. This sort of blows in the face of their title, Listening for Democratic Change. I wonder if these eight candidates would be running for election if were not for the proposed MUGA.

The MUGA can be used, as the name suggests, for multiple uses: bowling, basketball, netball, football and, more importantly, by all age groups from toddlers to octogenarians. The funds are not coming from the rates as Mr Crew assumes.

The 12 independent parish council candidates are mostly retired villagers who, although older, do have a real desire to make the village best for all. They have campaigned and supported the new surgery, they have raised funds for the extension to the hall, and they have made the village roads safer and are actively working on more improvements. Little Paxton is a lovely place to live and, as the recent village of the year contest showed, a place that is getting better, mainly due to the hard work of the Parish Council.

In the past I have not always been quick to vote, but this year I feel that I should show my thanks to all the existing Independent councillors at the ballet box.

JOHN YOUNGER

LPCFC chairman

Jubilee Close

Little Paxton