Like many others in Swindon, I really enjoy a shopping trip out to one of our nearby cities. I also read the Advertiser and notice many things of irony within its pages.

A year or two back your paper reported that Swindonians were some of the most miserable people in the country.

After having a shopping day out and returning to Swindon and coming out of the tunnel at the railway station, the above fact is immediately apparent.

One of the first things one notices is the scowling, black look expressions on most of the menfolk's faces and the multitude of very trendy shaved heads and goatie beards that seem to be at the forefront of fashion locally, not to mention the American chat-show attitude of a lot of the female populace.

Then in the Advertiser dated January 10, we read that it is becoming more and more the trend to have a night in, rather than go out and meet the local populace in our pubs and clubs: Is it any wonder?

I personally believe that the seeming inability of the local populace to raise a smile is directly linked to the local lack of NHS dentists. This, I am sure, is linked to monetary considerations and revenue and who collected the most of this locally? Yes, you got it. I'm sure our local council will be happy to know I for one can't wait for my next trip out of Swindon to spend my hard earned cash in another place.

My message . . . don't worry about your fillings Swindon, just chill out and smile (now and again.)

W DUGGAN

Swindon