I WRITE in response to Mr Payne's rationalisation of the lack of local response to the circumstances surrounding the resignation of former Evesham mayor Richard Hicks. I am almost as baffled by the excuses of " bemusement " and "too polite " as I was to the initial lack of any local response.

Mr. Payne' s argument holds little water. I did not notice " politeness" as being a barrier to a local outcry when the relocation of the main Post Office was mooted , nor do I expect "politeness" to prevent any lack of response to the potential loss of the Regal cinema . While these may be issues which merit concern, I feel that less parochial issues such as homophobia and racism merit more reaction. Evesham people do not live in a Utopian, non-judgmental society and as such are at risk of focusing too closely on issues which, while of limited local value, are of far less importance than those which can adversely effect an individual's reputation.

Prejudice of any kind is never acceptable nor is "politeness" an opt out clause to refuse to challenge such beliefs. If these claims are laid at the feet of Evesham then they need to be brought into the open and dealt with.

Should local people feel that their only reaction to such claims, which reflect negatively on them as a whole, be only of "bemusement" as cited by Mr. Payne then my reaction as one of their number has to be "dismay".

K Marshall, Conwy Drive, Evesham.