Whilst I appreciate that the smoking ban was introduced by the Government with seemingly little thought for the consequences of unsociable behaviour being forced onto the streets, I do not accept Mr Schonfeldt's claim that there is little he as a landlord can do to minimise the disturbance to his neighbours.

Closing the garden has, of course, forced more people out onto the street in front of the pub and other neighbouring properties where again they remain until the pub closes. These people are very often noisy but, strangely enough, not always smoking.

If Mr Schonfeldt really does want to help the community surrounding his pub, can I suggest that, as the landlord, he prohibits drinks being taken out into the street. This would encourage the smokers to go outside for "a puff" but, to quickly return to have their drink inside the pub where he would be responsible for their conduct.

I fully appreciate that Mr Schonfeldt is trying to run a business in Wellington Street but he must recognise the limitations of his surroundings – the pub being situated in a conservation area in the middle of residential properties. 

I suggest he would do well to take a leaf out of the book of some of the other landlords in St Ives and consider what he can do to minimise the impact of his business on the community.
Mike Seagrave
Wellington Street
St Ives


>> MR Boyd takes a very simplistic view on the trade at his pubs (Huntingdon Town Crier, June 26).
The main issue is that alcohol has shot up in price, so people are going out later at night to save money.
And with the credit crunch it's obvious pubs will suffer, particularly those with a small catchment area.

Mr Boyd should, in many ways, welcome the smoking ban, as I know of many people who go out more due to pubs being smoke-free.
Those persons that 'puff' outside are a nuisance, as they block the street and quite often blow smoke back inside.
Mr Boyd and his staff will also have been working in a healthier environment.

The smoking ban is the one sensible thing that this Government has introduced. We should all be working towards a more greener, pleasant and healthier world, even pub landlords.
David Horwood
Huntingdon


Council received no complaints
>> I READ with interest the article regarding the O2 antennas at the water tower in Bushmead Road (Town Crier, June 19.) I was amazed to read that Mrs Hickey had managed to get more than 50 residents to sign a petition against these antennas.

I was, however, further amazed to read the letter from Cllr Mandy Thomas, the newly-elected district councillor, criticising St Neots Town Council's planning committee and Cllr Fiona Birks stating that the committee had ridden rough-shod over the residents of St Neots.

As Mrs Thomas has only been a district councillor for a month, I will forgive her her ignorance this once, but would like to put the record straight.
The planning committee consists of six councillors under the chairmanship of Cllr Jennifer Bird (Conservative).

Mrs Thomas did not attend the meeting on June 18, nor indeed did Mrs Hickey with her petition as any member of the public is entitled to do.
In fact the petition could have been handed into the town clerk at any time.
In this instant, no objections had been made to the council by June 18 and the first I was aware of a problem was when I read it in the Town Crier on June 21 – four days after the meeting.

The planning committee takes great care in listening to the views of the people it represents and in quite a few cases backs the view of the residents. However, the committee can only recommend approval or refusal – the final decision rests with Huntingdonshire District Council.
Cllr Doug Terry (Lib Dem)
Member of the St Neots Town


Council's planning committee
>> I AM writing to clarify misleading information from Cllr Mandy Thomas in the letters page (Town Crier, June 26).
I would like to reassure readers that at town council level – which is not a decision making planning authority, only a consultee – the question of whether any formal objections have been received regarding any planning application is always asked.

All elected members are fully aware of the correct procedure. The committee did not "agree to approve the application" as Mandy Thomas suggests – only to raise no objection. The decision is for Huntingdonshire District Council.
On this particular planning application, the committee were assured that no objections, petitions or letters had been received from anybody.

Indeed, had objectors or Cllr Thomas been present, I am sure that the Conservative chairman would have allowed them to speak.
More importantly, had the objectors made their concerns known to any of the Liberal Democrat team of ward town councillors prior to the meeting, we would have done what Cllr Thomas has failed to do – make formal representation to the town council. Instead she chose to issue a press release which serves no useful purpose other than publicity for herself.
Cllr Fiona Birks (Lib Dem)
Eaton Socon Ward
Vice-chairman St Neots Town Council planning committee


People need to be aware of antennas
>> I WRITE in response to J Clarke's letter regarding the mobile antennas in Bushmead Road (Town Crier, June 26). To residents who are living very close to these, this is a serious issue. We are giving up our time to collect signatures during our busy days.

I wonder if your correspondent even read the Town Crier article. We are not just moaning about one antenna – we already have 30 there. Mr Clarke's view that mobile phone reception is more important than a 'phantom' cancer threat is a poor one. If there is a scare of any kind in connection with antennas, it's important to make people aware.
As Mr Clarke states that we are all going to die at some point, perhaps he'd be happy to have 30 antennas moved to where you live.

He could then get as good a mobile phone reception as he wants, which is obviously his main priority.
M Smith
Monarch Road
Eaton Socon

Gold plated traffic lights?
>> Regarding the article about the road crossing at Jubilee Park, Huntingdon (Huntingdon Town Crier, June 19). First and foremost I agree that the pedestrian access to this park should have been in place before the football ground opened.

But how on earth can a crossing cost £400,000?
That is more than twice the cost of an average house. Are the traffic lights going to be gold plated?
It will be a shame to have lights along this free flowing road, although I agree the junction is a difficult one to leave in busy traffic.

The other day I drove along this road to see the entrance to Jubilee Park. There is just enough room for two cars to pass as you arrive from the junction. People should not be walking along here until a footpath is constructed.
Charles Grey
Everdale Close
Stukeley Meadows


Proud of football club>>IT is good to see St Neots finally has a sporting facility it can be proud of in the new football stadium (Town Crier, June 26).

The town has been earmarked for more than a thousand new homes at Love's Farm, and probably thousands more if developers and the councils get their way, so it deserves a bigger football club.

Hopefully with the rising cost of Premier Leauge tickets and its culture of greed before fans, more people will come along and support their local club and see what it's like to be a valued supporter.
Hopefully the club can also win a couple of promotions .
Mr Hathaway
St Neots

Police must be aware of boy racers
>> I CAN'T believe that police officers are not aware of problems with boy racers (St Neots Town Crier, June 26) in other areas.
The bowling club carpark is often used by these drivers.

The indoor club has, in the past, complained to the police about the volume of the car music systems and the screeching of tyres when the club is open (last games finish at 10.30pm).
Evidence of them being there is the tyre marks left on the tarmac.
Frank Walton
St Neots