This is that "those who cannot remember the mistakes of the past are condemned to repeat them", thus following Tim Hadland's previous Conservative administration down the road of wasting even more public money on more consultants and unnecessary gimmicks to revitalise the fortunes of market traders.

At the same time they will shrink further the size of the market, leading to the same inevitable results, both fiscally and politically.

Neither myself nor Geoff Howes are against change, we both embrace it and have both called for radical changes to the Market Square which see an alternative entertainment space and/or fountain created in the centre of the market, meaning that shoppers would have to pass through the stalls (hopefully spending money on the way) to reach the newly created central public area.

Where we differ with Councillor Woods's proffered vision is that our advice was given free (set against approximately £250,000 spent by both administrations on consultants and officer time so far) and that we wish to spend the £1m promised from grants on enhanced street furniture and a centrally located water feature.

Likewise, we would prefer that the £210,000 profit the market makes each year was spent on promoting the market and growing the shopping footfall, rather than on big screens, Wimbledon finals and canvas throws for Wellington House!

One thing Councillor Woods did get almost right in his letter though was his comment that "the fact is that the market is in decline and has been since Clarke and Howes controlled the borough council".

I say almost right because the control of the council in those days (when the market made three times the profit it does today) was in the hands of my good friend John Dickie, with Geoff and others as his deputy.

I have little to thank the Labour Party for in recent times and they probably think the same of me in some quarters, but I recognise that they made a far better job of promoting our town than the last two administrations have done.

Perhaps though we should all forget about the past and concentrate all our combined efforts on protecting the future of our market traders and of our town.

Now there is a future worth fighting for.
Councillor Tony Clarke,
Independent,
Castle and Jurassic Park Ward, Northampton Borough Council.

Too important for name-calling
SO the leader of the borough council, Tony Woods, resorts to petty and childish name-calling because I am critical of his plans for the Market Square. I will not stoop to his level . . . the future of the market is far too important for that.

Councillor Woods claims that I am against any changes to the market. This is not true, as he knows only too well.

In 2007 I sent him, Councillor Hadland and Councillor Davies a copy of a document I had written called a Market Manifesto. Councillor Woods replied saying he had passed it on to Councillor Church.

I also sent a copy to the Chron.

In this document, I proposed many changes to the market.

I proposed improvements to the entrances to the market. I also proposed a fountain on All Saints Square.

Some of the other changes I proposed were a loyalty rent scheme for traders, reducing rent based upon the length of time they have stood on the market, evening and Sunday markets, antiques and charity markets.

I also proposed an open square in the middle of the market, based on the successful layout we used on bank holiday markets, which could be used for farmers' markets etc and entertainment, and a substantial promotional budget.

The market is not promoted nearly enough.

I also made proposals about getting new stall holders.

There were many other proposals in that document.

Others may not agree with my proposals but they do demonstrate my support for change, contrary to what Councillor Woods is claiming.

Councillor Woods is also critical of my record in respect of the market. It is clear that he is unaware of the many things I introduced.

The "kipper season" rent structure, regular promotions, bank holiday markets, a ban of commercial car boot sales, the market week . . . . these are just a few examples.

I must have done something right because at the Market Traders' AGM in 1999, the year I stood down from the council, the traders presented me with a tankard to thank me for my services to the market.

Not asked for, not expected, but gratefully received,
Geoff Howes,
Alliston Gardens, Northampton.

Pensioners are slaves of England
Welcome to Viewpoint, David Haddon (August 18) and no apologies for my letters appearing regularly . . . everyone has the same opportunity.

He says that I have nothing better to do; I don't need to explain my lifestyle, but one of my many other interests is to visit other countries, with little cash, to study their traditions, values, etc, especially Eastern European.

In Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and even Austria too, rarely do I encounter a foreign person living there, sponging off state benefits, as happens here a thousand times every day, costing us £1billion a year.

These other countries don't allow it, that's why the majority of these gold-digging nomads flock here to Britain, the easy touch member of the EU.

In Australia, Canada and the United States, for example, they don't risk immigration unless applicants can prove to be self-sufficient and have a skill, or profession to enhance that country's economy.

Here in the UK we allow everyone in, since Blair/Brown's New Labour, whether by dubious, legitimate means, or by incomers targeting our porous, unprotected borders.

We pensioners must be the "slaves" of present day England. I paid into the state fund for 43 years, working my socks off every day in the process, yet these incomers can claim "my earned money" within one year of residence.

We earned our "better life" Mr Haddon. Why should we want to share it with those who want to fleece us and pay no contributions?

Would they do they same for us in the same circumstances?

Pigs might fly!
Keith Jackson,
Tavistock Close, Northampton.

Danger roads
Re the letter in the Chron of August 12 regarding speed cameras, I feel that they are sighted where there is a special need for driving at a safe speed.

Country lanes do have bends and crossroads and are often narrow.

Mr Jones's father may have been driving at 8am but there could have been a lady walking a dog, a young girl on a horse, a man cycling to work or children walking around the next corner.

What appears to be a quiet road is often where many accidents happen. The Duston to Whilton road is a good example.

I write this as a motorist and a cyclist.
John Alcock,
Muscott Lane, Northampton.

Keep cars out
The new plans for Gold Street certainly get my vote, particularly making it car-free. Anything that gets cars off the road gets my vote every time. The only people moaning are car owners who would go to the loo in their cars if they could.

Most of them are bone idle. Why do they insist on going everywhere in their cars? Why not ban traffic from the town centre . . . period.

Never heard of public transport?

Too many times the selfish, self-centred, self-interest brigade ruin plans like this. It must not be allowed to happen this time.
Gordon Bray,
Junction Road, Northampton.