HAVING read your article in this Wednesday’s Gazette about the Crucifixion of Mankind carving, I felt I must write to support the call for the reinstatement of this very valuable piece of artwork.

This piece of art, as your article indicates, is owned by the ‘people of Colchester’ and has been enjoyed as a public work for many years.

When the sculpture first vanished, I spoke with several members of staff to inquire of it’s current location, some made the remark that it had been moved and would reappear in the VAF gallery and the reason was it did not fit in with the bland soulless warehouse look that is the current theme in the lower building, that and it has upset someone.

The problem I have with this is that art, at it’s very nature or core, is meant to inspire discourse, but never censorship.

How dare the ‘powers that be’ make such an outrageous decision to remove what is not theirs, to impose their will over the freedom of expression of the artist and cause what in effect is cultural vandalism to the good people of Colchester?

If the sculpture cannot be replaced due to political correctness of the namby pamby brigade who wield powers without accountability, may I be as bold to recommend a replacement sculpture titled ‘the Crucifixion of Colchester’s heritage and culture’ where all decision makers responsible are identified and their images of hand wringing and bullying are carved in stone for all to see, and remember.

Drew Peacock Colchester

  • Tailbacks prove plan is bonkers

AT 9am Tuesday, driving out of Colchester, I observed the tailback on the dual-carriageway Clinghoe Hill into Colchester, which stretched way beyond the Wivenhoe junction towards Elmstead Market.

The queue of traffic towards Wivenhoe went past the Boundary Road entrance to the University of Essex, thus a total tail-back of around 1.25 miles for those drivers, with a long queue also visible on the road from Alresford and Brightlingsea.

Planners in Tendring and Colchester are proposing a ‘garden village’ of anything up to 3,000 new dwellings in this area.

With congestion as it is already, such proposals are stark staring bonkers!

Sir Bob Russell, Catchpool Road, Colchester

  • No more chiefs... but more nurses

I AM writing after reading about Colchester General Hospital creating two executive directors.

Forget that idea, their wages should be used to pay for more doctors and nursing staff.

I was admitted to the accident and emergency department recently.

While waiting, I couldn’t believe the constant flow of patients coming in.

Then when I was admitted to Darcy ward, I found the staff were run off their feet whilst remaining efficient, compassionate and so kind to the patients.

Quite often working late into the night and yet being back on the early shift, raring to go.

We certainly don’t need any more chiefs when there are so few Indians!

J Thurston Westcliff Court, Clacton

  • Shoppers are causing chaos

Something needs to be done about the lines of cars queuing to get into Safeway, Tollgate, and nearby Lidl on a Sunday lunchtime.

Queues’ of cars - some are even parked around roundabouts awaiting their owner’s turn to shop - are stopping other motorists using the highway.

Cars are blocking roads used by ambulances and other types of emergency service vehicles. If you led a protest saying “Poor people matter” and blocked the Queen’s highway, the police could soon find a reason to arrest you.

We need to see the same vigour applied to those who block the highway, just to go shopping.

Simon Collyer Avignon Close, Colchester

  • Thanks for your generosity

Thank you to all who attended our music and fundraising evening which was held at the Masonic Hall, Harwich, on Friday, September 30.

Your generosity raised a total of £205 which has been donated to “We are Music”, Harwich. Keep on Rocking!

Many thanks.

Mark and Vicki White Gravel Hill Way, Dovercourt

  • You won't see this eyesore

As a Lakelands resident, I have to ask councillor Scott how often she will see the hideous flats she agreed to build on the entrance to our estate?

We will see them every time we go out our front doors.

You have voted to build on public open space. I hope the Wivenhoe residents that voted you in realise you don’t care about public opinion over 1,000 objected by signing a petition and over 100 other objections. Instead, you listened to a planning officer.

The six of you who voted this through must hang your heads in shame.

Peter Leatherdale Lakelands resident