Re: Stow Fair Meeting on 20th July. I left the meeting saddened by the general tone of many who contributed to the debate.

Their descriptions of Stow fair made it sound like Baghdad on a bad day. It can be bad, but it's not that bad - and I have personally had my share of fair-related problems. The police were violent criticised, some of which was perhaps justified, but the police representative's response that there are limits to the resources available to him were simply dismissed. To those who want the fair shut, no amount of policing is ever going to be enough. I was disheartened that so few would even consider looking at ways of improving the running of the fair. If it were better controlled it could be an event that people could look forward to rather than dread. Talk at the meeting of 'invasion' of the 'indigenous population' is mindless prejudice. Gypsies and travellers are people too, and I have found that personal contact is the most effective way to communicate. Fear and suspicion bring problems of their own. Objectors seem to have got stuck in a negative cul-de-sac which must be frustrating and depressing for them. A more constructive and positive way forward must be found.

Rebecca Whitby, Stow.