G SCOTT may well regret the expansion of Swindon.

So, it used to be a nice friendly little town?

If nothing had been done, it would still be a little town, not so nice, with everyone unemployed or leaving to look for work elsewhere.

If he was born in 1950 perhaps he didn't notice when the main employer, the Great Western Railway works, closed.

He certainly has no idea how awful mass unemployment is. I do. I lived through it.

Fortunately, a far-sighted Murray John and some Labour councillors recognised the dangers of a one-industry town.

London had thousands of bombed-out people.

"Send us industry and we'll house your people." Mutual advantage achieved.

Stand still and you get left behind. Yes it is sad that green fields are built on. Long-term unemployment is even sadder.

We still have Coate Water and some parks and gardens. There's the Front Garden too, if we can prevent it being built on.

A LUBIN.

Swindon