I was encouraged to read Mr Kevin Starling’s letter in Tuesday’s Gazette.

I am receiving support from more and more residents who are appalled at the lack of access to the only municipal tennis courts in the borough.

I have spent years asking, pleading even, for this rainbow coalition of an administration to invest in these courts.

With proper commitment and relatively modest investment, this facility will provide much needed low-cost community sport available to all.

There would be the added bonus of tennis clubs returning to Eudo Road, bringing with them the competitions that provided the springboard for those with higher ambition and, dare I say it, much needed cash to re-invest in the courts for their maintenance and development.

Each year for the past many all this administration does is to say that it believes in tennis for all, and that it will bring in a new system that will make it easy for players to pay and play - it has never happened and there is no sign of it happening any time soon.

In regards to Shrub End Tennis Courts, this administration lacks vision, commitment, intention and imagination.

It uses the same deaf ears and blind eyes to the potential of Gosbecks Archaeological Park, another missed opportunity to champion Colchester’s unique heritage.

However, the fight for recognition of both these assets continue.

Pauline Hazell Conservative councillor for Shrub End

  • I’ve been against artwork for years

The wood carving Crucifixion of Mankind has been repelling people for a long time.

When regularly visiting the library with my young children, both now in their forties, I found it totally abhorrent.

An image of a bayoneted baby – who wouldn’t?

Enquiring why it was there in a public place, I was told that the carving needed to be displayed because its creator gave it to the town.

(Perhaps a buyer prepared to gaze at it daily had been hard to find.) Well, okay. But a less in-your-face position for it would be very welcome.

And let’s just hope Damien Hirst doesn’t suddenly take a shine to Colchester.

A M Scott Ardleigh Road, Dedham

  • Quiet revolution to return sculpture

Regardless of whether you like or loathe Colchester Library’s art piece ‘the Crucifixion of Mankind’, the majority of Colcestrians had no say in the decision to remove it and, in its small way, this is why a “quiet revolution” is occurring.

I feel we live in a world where that piece of art is more relevant today than it has ever been and trying to eliminate that reality is not doing our society any favours. We should face it head-on.

For political correctness, anything “upsetting” on TV comes with a precursor warning today so how about returning the piece to its rightful position and placing a warning sign on the library front door?

This seems like a decision made from fear, not wisdom.

Which path is better to follow…“ignorance is bliss” or “questioning is the door of knowledge”?

Mrs. H. A. Johnson Capel Road, Colchester

  • Let’s not brush away problems

Regarding an article in last week’s Gazette “Fake shop fronts win in vote on boosting town”.

This reminded me of a short tale - The Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen.

“…we are very good at blaming the council…and expecting them to do…things” according to Ms Taylor.

So what a fantastic way to not blame the council and conceal empty and fast becoming derelict shops…we just pretend that they are no such thing - and paint over the truth!

Similar artwork could be applied to the homeless in shop doorways.

Artwork depicting a lovely warm, comfortable bed with crisp clean sheets, with a little cut-out for the homeless head to peek out from…problem sorted - all with the swipe of a brush.

Why did we never think of this idea before? Simply brushing life’s truths away.

Karen Taylor is quite right, we shouldn’t blame the council…we should blame people like her that enable the council to not address the issues that we the proletariat pay them to address.

You see Ms Taylor, there will always be the one small voice that will pipe up and say “But he isn’t wearing anything at all.”

Denise Day Marks Tey, Colchester

  • Eagles praised

I can only admire the 14 soldiers mentioned in your report today on Dr Mark Felton’s latest book The Castle of Eagles for their tunnelling abilities but am amazed that their Italian guards did not notice the 60 miles of soil they removed. Should have gone to Specsavers?

Owen Hay Gorse Way, Stanway

  • Street lights run by clowns

The street light outside our property has been out of action since May last year. 

I have contacted various companies on several occasions and have been passed from pillar to post or fobbed off with inexcusable excuses.

With my patience exhausted, I boldly went where I have been before and called the highways department and spoke to someone who deals with street lighting factors. 

I was informed the job entailed was out of their control and I was to call UK Power Network. I called this company who duly informed me that it was a matter for Tendring Council. 

Keeping cool, calm and collected, I called the council and lo and bold, guess what, I was unsurprisingly told to contact the highways department.

So, after another telephone marathon, we are still in the dark, with nobody able to throw a light on the subject.

The whole affair is like a three-ring circus controlled by clowns.

Malcolm Benjamin Fairlop Close, Great Clacton