THE wording of the letter from Brian Tegg (Advertiser, September 24) was regrettable.

The Wilson family are Redditch folk whose winter quarters and permanent base are in Redditch and have been for very many years.

In the late 1920s, the Redditch Carnival was founded for the purpose of funding the Smallwood Hospital in Church Green West, long before the creation of the modern health service.

The carnival involved giving certain streets and public places over to amusements provided by Tom and Frank Wilson, three generations back from the present Tommy Wilson. The main fair was in the area now occupied by Debenhams.

My father was treasurer of the carnival committee in the 1930s and he became a great admirer of the Wilson family for their wonderful, charitable support which has continued, with the exception of the war years, ever since.

In recent years, the carnival has not been held but the Wilsons still come and donate to local charities. Last week, Tommy Wilson gave £1,500 to charities.

I can understand the amusements in the town centre give rise to comments from people who would sooner not have them but to describe the Wilsons as 'visitors' and 'interlopers' is sheer nonsense and a misuse of words.

Jack Millward

Address supplied