• A case of better the devil you know

East Bergholt should be extremely careful what it wishes for (“John Constable’s Suffolk village in bid to defect to Essex).

The grass is not greener in Colchester. The council has chosen a higher housing target than it needs to, and has plans for not just one, but two new towns, of 9,000 homes and up to 25,000 homes respectively.

The largest, known as West Tey, will gobble up 1,000 hectares of countryside and engulf villages. East Bergholt will not find a friendly listening ear from Colchester Council.

8,500 people signed a petition against West Tey. This has been ignored, and senior councillors routinely ignore reports that our consultants prepare, and requests for meetings.

Our advice? Don’t do it.

Rosie Pearson Secretary, Campaign Against Urban Sprawl in Essex

  • 'District centre' will divide not create new community

I REFER to Cllr Paul Smith’s letter (April 26). As one of those stakeholders who attended the meeting at the university run by your consultants, I felt, along with nearly everyone else there, they had not listened to us at the earlier workshop held in November.

We had not proposed the “heart” of this new garden community should straddle the A133, nor have a primary school on its south side.

To have a dual carriageway going through the middle of what eventually could become a substantial new town does not make sense to us.

It will divide rather than create a community.

It also ignores one of the principles which was agreed at the November meeting that said: “Protection of the rural character to the east of Colchester.”

Driving through the heart of this proposed community won’t feel like driving along the A133, as it is now.

This is not about objecting to this new community. I agree it is essential infrastructure should be planned first, before any houses are built, but that your “expert” consultants should also listen and take notice.

The “centre of gravity” for this new community should be between the A133 and the A120, and not straddling the A133.

I’m afraid your letter gave me no confidence you too had listened to what we had to say and that you will encourage your colleagues to reconsider these early proposals.

Peter Hill Colchester Road, Wivenhoe

  • Benefits of organic food and farming

Peter Fairs (Organic farming is not quite so harmless) highlights research by the University of British Columbia but omits the conclusion that organic agriculture has a crucially important role in creating a sustainable and fair food system.

The same study confirmed that organic farming emits fewer greenhouse gases, uses less energy, has healthier soils and is better for wildlife. Many of the worst deficiencies in the global food system will not be solved by producing more food.

He then takes aim at opposition to the weedkiller glyphosate - ignoring the many scientists with grave concerns about glyphosate’s safety.

New research has found glyphosate-based weedkillers cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats at ultra-low doses, thousands of times below levels permitted by regulators.

Many regulators have been criticised for relying on unpublished, secret data and for failing to assess glyphosate in the publicly available chemical mixtures.

Organic standards provide a legally-defined guarantee that food has been produced to the highest standards.

There is a wealth of scientific evidence of the benefits of organic food and farming.

The fact that people are increasingly choosing organic shows that people are, to quote Peter Fairs: “Looking at the facts and making their own choice.”

Georgia Farnworth Soil Association policy officer Marlborough Street, Bristol

  • We need more benches please

Last Sunday morning, blue skies, sunshine and a warmer temperature, I decided to walk along the river bank at East Bay, heading for Castle Park.

I was looking for last year’s swans that had nested along there and produced six cygnets out of eight eggs.

There was no sign of the nest. I kept walking until I reached the lake, delighted to spy the pen sitting patiently on her beautiful new nest.

It was set back from the path this time, jutting into the lake, overhung with trees just coming into leaf.

The cob glided into view to place himself between myself and the pen, then satisfied I was not a threat, swam up to the nest.

I had the perfect picture of both swans reflected in the still water.

By this time my back was telling me I had to sit down so on I trudged until a seat came into view, I flopped down thankfully in this idyllic place.

I decided to walk a bit more, hoping the council might have replaced the two benches that had been vandalised or rotted, over the last five years.

But no, there wasn’t another bench until the leisure centre footbridge, unless my eyes are failing me as well as my back.

Then there is a plethora of benches in Castle Park, which is wonderful for us oldies who just have to keep sitting down.

So more benches please, borough councillors, we desperately need them so we can get out and about, exercising our bodies and minds in this tranquil spot. They would certainly be appreciated.

In fact a couple more benches are needed before the lake is even reached.

Sylvia Sellers Fairfield Gardens, Colchester

  • I thought Sir Bob had left political arena

Regarding “High Steward defends decision to stand”.

I was not a councillor at the time so did not have a vote on Sir Bob Russell being awarded the role of High Steward.

I did however fully support the honour, in doing so I considered the position of non-political High Steward was a fitting conclusion to a public political life, in accepting Sir Bob accepted retirement.

Silly me.

Honorary Alderman Sonia Lewis Acland Avenue, Lexden

  • I won’t vote until leaders end foreign aid

No vote from me. Until these governments come to their senses and end foreign aid I will withhold my vote in the general election.

How they justify foreign aid whilst we suffer cuts in all our services is beyond me.

If there is a crisis the country people will donate, just look at the sums raised by Children in Need.

What we cannot suffer is a government that works for us giving our money to aid that makes no sense, only to justify their figures.

Paul Gawn Louise Close, Walton