SIR – Reference the article in the Worcester News about travellers.
It would appear they can just do as they like.
It says in your account they removed a metal gate to gain entry to the private land.
One of the PCs sent to the scene said “The travellers wish to move onto this land.” “We are here to prevent any offences from happening.” Offence in my dictionary is an illegal act – surely breaking and entering is an illegal act?
When they take over our car parks and are made to leave – are they fined for parking fees and the cost of removal of rubbish they leave behind?
Let’s have some fair play for the taxpayers.
H SYMONDS
Worcester

It’s the same old police response
SIR – With the latest batch of so-called travellers arriving in Worcester. We waited with baited breath for the police response. We were not disappointed. The usual reply spouted from their spokesperson, “this is not a police problem, the responsibility lies with the land owners”, and so forth.
How long can these people, who make other peoples lives a misery, leave property wrecked, and soiled, live with total impunity. One thing we can guarantee however, if these travellers parked their caravans, and flat bed lorries, and set up camp on the chief constable’s driveway, and front garden, they would be moved on in minutes.
B HUNTER
St Peter’s, Worcester

Cause to think about our link to EU
SIR – I watched Sunday’s programme presented by Jonathan Dimbleby about World War II with interest and some sadness. It reminded me how many people lost their lives in pursuit of saving this country and others from invasion and domination. It also caused me to think deeply again about Britain’s relationship with the EU. The programme showed the invasion of France, D-Day and the surrender signing. At the end soldiers came across Bergen-Belsen where they found dead and dying people.
I was born on VE Day, my father worked at Broadcasting House during the war; my first job was at BBC Bush House. In 1972 I travelled by coach across Europe, the Middle East to Nepal through countries which are now impossible to visit such as Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan largely due to the idiocy and dishonesty of WMD. During this trip I met my future husband with whom I later visited New Zealand where we visited the war graves of those who gave their lives in the World War II. On a visit to Germany a year after the Berlin Wall came down we also chanced across Bergen-Belsen where I was struck by the eerie silence and complete absence of birdsong.
My husband’s mother was a German citizen, also a dissident who was imprisoned in Berlin from where she escaped with two other women. She walked the very considerable distance home during which time sadly one of them died and had to be left on the road. Once home she met a British soldier whom she married and they came to live in Birmingham.
Our Prime Minister is busy, not only trying to rig the outcome of the referendum,  but trying to convince British people that his demands for renegotiations of the terms of our EU membership will be successful. Unfortunately Frau Merkel, of Germany, and Monsieur J-C Juncker, of the EU Commission, have made it clear that he is effectively wasting his time.
As a result of watching this programme I reached the same conclusion which I have reached before that in my humble view the Common Weal (“public welfare, prosperity, good fortune”) is highly unlikely to be served by Britain (and indeed others continental nations) remaining in a federated, superstate dominated by Frau Merkel of Germany and Monsieur J-C Juncker of the EU Commission but rather to retain our status as independent  nations able to trade freely and control our own borders.
WENDY HANDS
Upton-upon-Severn

Archive service that should be treasured
SIR – I should like to respond to your article dealing with the cuts to the Worcestershire Archive Service.
I want to emphasise the value of the service. I have been using this service for research on a regular basis since the 1980s, during which time the information I amassed has been used in projects with both national and local implications. I am currently involved in a national project, part of a programme which will cover the whole country, on the 1660s hearth tax returns for Worcestershire, while local work has included Witley Court, Croome Court, the Greyfriars, the Vinegar Works and many other buildings of local importance. A colleague and I have also written a history of Worcester, reviewed by your reporter Mike Pryce on November 21, 2011. In addition, with another colleague, I have written a book of children’s stories about the historic city.
All this material is based on the massive collection of archives stored at the Hive, which includes city records and others going back to the 13th century, and is catalogued and cared for by a team of skilled and dedicated staff. Anything that puts this vast array of historical material in danger risks losing an understanding of the background that shaped city and county events in both the recent and distant past.
Despite the recent cuts and the reduction of opening hours the staff, although under considerable pressure, have retained the commitment I have valued over the last 30 years. They are always courteous, knowledgeable and helpful, even when I come with obscure questions or struggle with the new technology. Having visited upwards of 20 record offices in the course of my studies I can truthfully say I have not found another which surpassed the service provided by the Worcestershire Archives.

DR PAT HUGHES

FSA Worcester

Fair pay rise perhaps?
SIR – Would the Worcestershire MPs make sure I get the same pay rise as they have received? That seems fair. Or perhaps they could take a cut in their wages as so many of us have done?
MARGARET CHEVALIER
Worcester

I love talking too
SIR – Like you, John Phillpott (Worcester News, June 13) I love talking – preferably “one-to-one”.
GEORGE COWLEY
Worcester