Bring in the bulldozers

One of the town’s most unsightly buildings, Falcon House, is being made into flats.

There are no doubts this monstrosity needs bulldozing rather than conversion if the town centre has any hope of modernisation.

I think we are all owed an explanation from the council as to why a brand new Zurich building is being constructed whilst there are at least six empty buildings in the town centre that have been occupied by Zurich previously.

Nicola Spull

Old Town

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Keep the party politics out of policing

I was expecting the police commissioners to give us some idea of their aims and achievements to enable us to compare them. Instead, to my amazement, they gave their party affiliations.

Every dictator in the world has gained power by politicising his police force.

There is no place for politics in our police force.

Worrying too is the decline in police services in Highworth.

It was the policy of our previous national government to make a policeman a friendly and reassuring presence in every area.

Some of us can remember when our policeman actually lodged in

Highworth. And more recently we had a police station in Highworth. We have lost that too now.

That is what should be concerning our council, not political matters.

Margaret Tuckwell

Shrivenham Road

Highworth

Get on your bikes

Our inspiring Olympians reaching the podium and winning us medals, has made me reflect on the importance of cycling for our nation.

Cycling has always been an important part of my life. Keeping healthy as we get older is crucial, and the benefits of exercise for our physical and mental wellbeing are profound.

The pandemic has really brought this home. Anchor Hanover’s research found that a third of us are now exercising more than pre-pandemic. But as restrictions lift, we are at an important turning point – and we need to ensure we don’t take our foot off the pedal.

It’s been inspiring to see the nation joining our Get Set, Cycle challenge. We’ve already smashed our target to cycle the distance of the Tour de France, and have set a new goal to cycle 24,901 miles, the circumference of the Earth. With the help of the nation, we’re confident we’ll get there!

With the Olympics on everyone’s minds, there’s never been a better time to get on our bikes. It’s inspiring to see us unite as a nation, which is something I hope we continue beyond the pandemic. So join in, help us clock up the miles, and get us around the world using #getsetcycle.

Terry Keen (75)

Fitness instructor and resident

Anchor Hanover

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