The council has approved, in principle, the disposal of the open space at 9-12 Archway Cottages, Abington Park.

The council will be publishing notices in this paper on July 4 and 11, inviting people to comment on their proposal, and I urge your readers to make their views known and become involved in this important consultation.

Archway Cottages are listed buildings and the council wants to sell off a 125-year lease to the properties as they cannot afford the repairs.

I think it is scandalous for our council to sell off our town's heritage and to have let the cottages, which are situated within Northampton's premier park, fall into such a state of disrepair in the first place.

Notwithstanding this, the long term rental income to the council of renting the properties and collecting the rent themselves, would be far greater than the one-off income generated by them selling off the lease to the cottages and thus selling a part of our town's history.

The proposal to sell the lease to the cottages to potentially unscrupulous developers is not in keeping with the original principles of council housing.

Archway Cottages have a long history. They were originally the entrance to the village of Abington; around this time the parish of Abington consisted only of the abbey, the park, the church, the farmhouse, 1,000 acres of land and about 20 cottages. Archway Cottages were built in 1678 and were the gateway to the small parish of Abington.

My concern is that, as has happened in Thornton Park in Kingsthorpe, once the developer has their 'foot in the door' there is the distinct possibility they would request, and be granted, even more of Abington Park for car parking, and who knows where this could lead?

I feel it is my duty to highlight this matter to the people of this town and, if they are concerned about the proposal, remind them that this is their final chance to make their comments known to the council.

I am very concerned that the history of this town has no value to the council who run the town, and I write in the hope that others feel, as I do, that our history and heritage are far more important than a 125-year lease which earns the council a quick buck.

In concluding, if it is the case that the proposal is accepted, then I would hope that the developers renovate and restore the buildings to their former glory sensitively, and that the council's stipulations are strictly adhered to.
Tony Ansell
Chairman of the Abington Conservation Society

Don't tar us all with same brush
Judging by the number of people who can apparently speak with authority on what happened at the Guildhall on June 26, it must have been standing room only in the council chamber.

As is often the case, however, the truth is slightly more mundane.

Around half-a-dozen members of the public were present to witness the reality: fewer than 21 opposition councillors collectively throwing their toys out of the pram, while the political group the people of Northampton voted into power to put this town back on its feet – the Liberal Democrats – waited quietly and patiently to get on with the business of the day.

Councillor Keith Davies, leader of the Labour group, has to his credit made a suitably contrite apology for his group's actions.

Compare this with the denial of responsibility in Councillor Clarke's statement: "I would rather sit on the Guildhall steps than have to witness again the behaviour of some members on Thursday night."

Commentators are quite entitled to question the common sense, purpose and motivation of any councillor who engages in actions which are disrespectful to their office and to the electorate they serve.

To those commentators – and to the broader electorate – I say this: don't tar all councillors with the same brush.

There are those of us who stood for election to make positive change for Northampton. We played no part in theses events.

We are committed to improvement and prima donna actions will not be permitted to prevent this from happening.
Councillor Paul Varnsverry
Liberal Democrat, West Hunsbury Ward
Northampton Borough Council

What became of the Steelbacks?
Your articles on our forces in Iraq were very informative and well written and show the problems our boys face. But since when have they been called The Poachers?

In the Peninsular War, Wellington coined the phrase Steelbacks. The Poachers were The Lincolnshire Regiment.

Since losing our titular designation (48th foot, Northamptonshire Regiment), we have been called The Anglians, Royal Anglians and 2nd Bn Royal Anglian Regiment.

When I was in the Anglians, it was always known as The Steelbacks, so when did this nickname disappear?

Northamptonshire has many distinguished battle honours and it, if nothing else, should be marked in its nickname.

Wellington, and the many people who proudly served in the regiment in the past, would be horrified, if they were still alive, to know that they had been superseded by The Poachers.
Mike Papworth,
Ruskin Road, Kingsthorpe, Northampton

Editor's footnote: Reporter Ruth Pott-Negrine interviewed Sarah Peyton, of the Royal Anglian Regiment at the TA Centre in Clare Street, Northampton, who said the Northamptonshire Regiment (which ceased to exist in 1962) was known as the Steelbacks and 2 Royal Anglian is the Poachers.

Cyclists' danger
How I agree with Julie Clark in the Chronicle & Echo, about cycle paths in and around Northampton, but how many people have driven along the Harlestone Road, going out of town, where cars, buses and heavy goods vehicles drive and the speed limit is 40 miles per hour?

Cyclists are still prepared to use the road here and not the designated path.

This path has been there for a number of years but not used very often.

It's a serious accident waiting to happen.
Ann Harris
Clipston Way
Duston, Northampton

Parking charges driving us away
I was astounded to read that parking charges/permits are to be increased.

The council will gain £149,500 from taking this action, well I wonder if they have thought that they could make more money?

The idea is quite simple: decrease parking charges for a start, also make the town a more attractive place to shop!

It's no wonder a great deal of people go to MK as the parking is a damn sight cheaper and the shopping centre is better.
Mark Crilley
Quernstone Lane
Danefield
Northampton

Different views of history
There is no need for Mr McCann to be aggrieved by my letter concerning the methods used to crush the miners' union.

We simply look at history differently.

Mr McCann views events from an authoritarian viewpoint.

He evidently believes that the end justifies the means. I do not.
A C Platt
Coppice Drive
Northampton