Anonymity is granted only at the discretion of the editor, who also reserves the right to edit letters.

Sad state of affairs

I was dreadfully saddened to read (SA, May 24th) about the adverse Ofsted report on Swindon Borough Council’s Childrens Services; a report the result of which I’m sad to say was entirely predictable, to me at least - and I write as a retired GP.

When the closures of our Sure Start Children’s Centres was first proposed, I was appalled - even more so when it changed from just a few to the whole lot. I had had a number of my patients, socially deprived or with special needs, who had benefited hugely from these.

I was reminded of this recently when Tessa Jowell MP sadly died - in her obituaries, much mention was made of the contribution she had made to children’s welfare, in setting these up. We can safely say she was a politician of stature. I felt sick, thinking of the contrast to what happened in Swindon. What goes around...

In the same edition was an article about the threatened closure of two popular outdoor centres for children - Oxenwood and Braeside, run by Wilts County Council. Are these two facets of the same phenomenon - not to mention the large increase in homelessness and rough sleeping in recent years?

Sir Christopher Wren had inscribed in St Paul’s Cathedral “Si Monumentum requris, circumspice” (If you want a monument, look around). Need I say more?

Dr Chris Barry, The Bramptons, Swindon

A kind stranger

May I through your paper, thank the wonderful lady who stopped to help me on Wednesday 23rd May, when I tripped and fell heavily in Churchward Avenue? She helped me up, then gave me a lift home, as I was battered and shook up.

She told me her name was Allison, and she worked for the council, and she drove a dark coloured car.

I just want to say how much I appreciated her help. Where would we be in this world without the kindness of strangers.

Gay Hervin, Rodbourne Cheney, Swindon

Welcome back

A very warm welcome to Steve Nibbs who after a brief sojourn elsewhere, has returned to the letters page of the Swindon Advertiser (SA 25 May) with a request that we “need to get the provocative writers back”.

I think if he had been in Swindon during the past few years he would have concluded the ‘provocative letter writers’ are still scribbling away, challenging the council (albeit they neither listen nor care about public opinion), questioning the Police and Crime Commissioner (who has skin thicker than a rhino) and generally asking searching questions about society (aka Bill Williams and his little Westie terrier).

Fear not Steve, your contributions will be most welcome among a plethora of informed and well considered viewpoints.

Des Morgan, Caraway Drive, Swindon