Congratulations and well done to Ashley Hall.

I am so proud and pleased to see he has been selected to take part in the Invictus Games.

As Mayor of Colchester 2010/11, I met Ashley and his family many times, supporting different fundraising events.

The occasion which has stayed very strong in my memory is when we switched on the Christmas lights. We were in front of the Town Hall, the High Street was packed, Ashley was not comfortable facing the crowds and when the lights went on, people surged forward just to touch Ashley’s shoulder, hold his arm, give him a thumbs up and saying things like: “okay mate, how are you?”

Colchester was proud of Ashley that night, and I know I can say Colchester is proud of you now.

Alderman Sonia Lewis Acland Avenue, Colchester

  • Election has delayed the most important problem for decades

I AM sure I am not along in finding your coverage of the General Election first class. It has been spot on.

You have given great opportunities for all the candidates to put forward views on local issues.

For Colchester, and the surrounding areas, one thing I found was very revealing.

A very dominant theme expressed by them all was the need for infrastructure that can cope with a rapidly expanding population.

They stressed the well-founded concerns by the electors that services were not coping now, yet alone with planned future development.

Views like, Colchester “has grown too fast”, “congestion has got considerably worse”, and “new developments need to have infrastructure put in first.”

But the election has led to the postponement of the most single important event that will shape these: the borough’s Local Plan Committee being put back to June 12.

This will determine how Colchester will plan its future till 2033.

The candidates concern and sentiments deserve their personal presence and intervention there.

I hope that they will see it as most important that they do so, and repeat what they have said during the election.

John Akker Chairman STOP350 (Mersea) Seaview Avenue, West Mersea

  • Disingenuous and misleading claims

This week we have yet again seen an article from Cause claiming that the experts have got their figures wrong, this time over the potential for job creation.

This PR tactic of continually dismissing the work being done to assess the viability of the new garden communities is disingenuous and misleading.

It is absolutely right we all continue to analyse and scrutinise the work being done, and as councils we have committed to only pursuing the three new communities if they are shown to be economically viable and deliverable, and importantly can deliver the infrastructure first approach to which we have committed.

That is exactly the reason we are continuing to work with leading experts from across the UK to look at every aspect of the project.

It is important to remember the proposed communities are not going to be for members of Cause, but rather to meet the employment and housing needs of our children and grandchildren.

I would urge Cause rather than simply opposing, to work with us to help shape something really special.

Paul Smith Leader of Colchester Council

  • Gazette and Sir Bob fought for nursery

It is good news Colchester nursery Stepping Stones has been given such an outstanding report by Ofsted, in sharp contrast to what the Standard reported several months ago after the education inspectors labelled it as “inadequate”.

This was a ludicrous observation which your newspaper ridiculed and which led to Sir Bob Russell writing two strongly worded letters to Ofsted’s top man, something which your newspaper also reported.

Sir Bob challenged Ofsted to make a fresh visit, which to their credit they did – with the result that Stepping Stones is now once again regarded as being “outstanding”.

This is not the first time that Bob Russell has helped Stepping Stones.

Several years ago it was faced with closure when Essex County Council said they would have to vacate their rooms at the Wilson Marriage Centre.

He met the council’s chief executive and very shortly afterwards not only was the pending eviction dropped but the County built new accommodation within the site as requested by Sir Bob.

The above are two examples of how Bob Russell’s actions have brought positive results.

Justin Knight Old Heath Road, Colchester

  • Election campaign a disappointment

The consensus seems to be the General Election campaign has been a disappointment to most voters.

There is little talk of feeling inspired or energised by the national campaigns.

Jeremy Corbyn was a rank outsider when Theresa May called for today’s poll and she calculated obtaining a large majority to secure a negotiating position in Brexit talks.

It seems that European leaders do not share her opinion.

They have said they will take no heed of how large her House of Commons majority will be.

She will still be in a minority of one against 27.

Corbyn has defied expectations and closed the gap with the Tories.

He seems more genuine, relaxed and believable than the wooden, scripted and protected May.

In our local area it is obvious the voters priority is the NHS and social care.

We have an increasingly older population with complex health and social care needs and a shortage of GPs, A&E service in crisis, hospitals in constant chaos due to staff shortages and poor morale, and the ambulance service failing in response times.

The NHS and welfare state was founded by the Labour Party which aims to look after everyone from the cradle to the grave, regardless of social class or income providing services free at the point of need.

Which party do you trust with your old age, grandparents and your family and children’s health?

Vote accordingly.

Steven Walker Sunny Point, Walton

  • Our taster session will hit the target

On Saturday, June 17 between 10am and 2pm, the Priory Bowmen are having a free have a go at archery event.

Anyone over the age of 12 can have ago and we provide all the equipment and club members will help everyone to hit the gold every time (we hope).

No experience is needed it is just a fun event but who knows it may be the start of a whole new sporting challenge.

We can be found on the B1027 near St Osyth.

Look out for the archery target.

Peter Hughes St Osyth

  • Writer was wrong about park and ride

I HOLD a concessionary bus pass issued by Suffolk County Council and am a regular user of Colchester Park and Ride.

I used the service again on May 30, accompanied by a friend holding a pass issued in Hertfordshire. No problem for either of us.

We checked with a member of staff and were reassured passes are accepted from all over England.

I have recently been using the service to get to the general hospital which has been very helpful.

It is to be regretted if misinformation acts as a deterrent to potential users of this invaluable service.

Jane Wood Groton, Suffolk