THOSE members of the town council who have volunteered to take an active role in bringing the Speedwatch Campaign to Ledbury are to be congratulated on not just talking about speed but doing something about it. We hope other members of the public will come forward to support their efforts.

Speedwatch is certainly not an easy option for volunteers, who have to be trained in the use of a speedgun, then take to the roads and sometimes find themselves confronted by angry drivers.

But motorists ought not to be angry with Speedwatch volunteers.

The evidence from trials in Ashperton and Stoke Lacy is that it has made a real difference to driver behaviour without the unfairness that can arise from the blunt instrument of speed cameras, where a driver can find themselves slapped with a £60 fine and penalty points for driving as slowly as 35 mph.

With Speedwatch, only the persistent offender is likely to be fined.

The community spirit and enterprise is typical of Ledbury and is one of the main reasons behind the town's success in the national Britain in Bloom competition.

Hopefully reaching that pinnacle will not see enthusiasm wane for Ledbury In Bloom, which has made such a difference to the town.

The latest highlight of a memorable year will be the visit of the crew of HMS Ledbury next week.

Whatever your opinion as to the rights and wrongs of the recent Gulf War, there is no doubting the professionalism with which our Armed Forces go about their work and the crew deserves a good turnout when it parades in the High Street next Thursday, at 6pm.