- DAY after day throughout the school summer holiday, suburban streets ring to the sounds of children playing.

Most people, other than the occasional saint among us, would be less than truthful if they didn't agree that the advent of sunny weather can sometimes be a trifle wearing.

Once, children would be out the door by early morning and not return until dusk.

There were hills to roam, roads to cycle, and sun-gilded rivers in which to fish and swim. No longer.

Youngsters are closely monitored for fear of perverts, volumes of traffic have turned roads into no-go areas, and every time kids are spotted swimming in the Severn, a safety "expert" trots out the usual dire warnings.

All of us have now become prisoners of ourselves.

- A READER wrote in to say that the height of trees lining the riverbank spoiled the view of the Malvern Hills. By the same token, the Hills could be said to ruin the view of nearby Herefordshire. Should we dismantle this ancient ridge so that the vista to the Welsh mountains is unimpeded?

- A WOMAN feeding pigeons near the South Quay fountains looked up, caught my eye, and smiled. I returned the pleasantry.

I am firmly of the belief that Worcester needs more of these delightful birds. Not only do they provide neatly-packaged ready meals for our resident peregrine falcon, but they also conjure up images of continental squares.

Worcester is trying to create a pavement society culture. More pigeons are undoubtedly required to assist this transition.