WHAT a shame! The collective decision by Forward Swindon, SBC, the BBC and the police not to show World Cup matches on the Big Screen is profoundly disappointing for a variety of reasons. Whether you like football or not, the reality is that World Cups in particular are socially cohesive events where diverse members of the community come together and realise commonalities exist between each other. It is also fun. This decision based upon ‘the potential security risk’ also demonstrates a palpable lack of trust towards the people of Swindon. Any half-decent sociologist or psychologist will say you have to show trust to gain it.

The irony of course is that much head scratching goes on in certain areas to discover ways to involve and unite members of Swindon’s diverse community, yet when faced with a ready made way of doing this (as well as an excellent space and screen), timidity and mistrust intervene to waste the opportunity.

On a personal note I was also looking forward to popping out for half an hour during my lunch break, watching the best footballers in the world doing their thing and chatting with whoever happened to be sitting next to me. Having lived in Huddersfield during the 2002 World Cup where they erected a large screen to show matches, I can also say how much fun it is to watch football on the TV, somewhere other than the pub with other members of the local community.

JAMES BROWN Blacksmiths Yard Broad Hinton Swindon