HAYDON Wick suffers from some anti-social behaviour.

This not as bad as in other parts of town but is nevertheless unacceptable. As a result the parish council is working on a strategy to reduce it as far as they can. One idea is the multi-use play area on the corner of Thames Avenue and Westfield Way. This will not affect the current crop of yobs. It will, however, show the younger element a more fun way to spend their time.

Alas! It is the fun aspect that hits hard. The one thing that most young teenagers request is somewhere to use their skate-boards. Accordingly, there is a junior skateboard facility included in the park. Instantly you use the dreaded S word, it seems that all rationality flies out the window.

There are some people who will never serve the community.

They won't try to sort out any problems. Half of them don't vote. As for the idea of them standing for the council or sitting on a Community Association Committee well you must be joking. What they will do is scream and shout at anyone who tries to do something that allows teenagers to enjoy themselves.

We have had a number of vitriolic anonymous leaflets delivered around Haydon Wick.

That they contain lies does not bother me too much. Anonymous leafleters never did worry about the truth. What concerns me was they contained a cowardly attack on a local councillor.

The only crime Coun Renard committed was to listen to the police and take their advice.

I wish all councillors would follow his lead.

There are valid concerns. There is a nearby underpass that is being used as a urinal and drugs shelter and there are fears that this will get worse after facility is being built. The parish council is sorting that out. Like most initiatives, it will take time and will not be helped by megaphone diplomacy.

I would ask anyone who is concerned to go to the site and look for themselves. They will see an unused green area behind the school.

On the far side of Westfield Way (a main road) is Thames Water pumping station and a band of trees. Behind these are the nearest houses.

The nearest house is more than 30 yards from the corner of the site. It has been said that the objectors are NIMBYs. I think not. The proposed facility is not in anyone's backyard.

The objectors are rather like the woman who called the police to complain that the man next door was exposing himself when-ever he took a bath. When the police pointed out that you couldn't see his bathroom from her house, she said that you could if you stand on this chair.

When the facility is opened there with be noise kids cannot have fun quietly but it will be less intrusive than the traffic noise of the intervening road. Unless, of course, the sound of kids enjoying themselves sets your teeth on edge.

Tel Hudson

Haydon Wick