I WAS lucky enough to be able to personally distribute the gifts raised from the night of the Spirit of Christmas in Marlborough to the NSPCC in Swindon.

A very appreciative letter of thanks has been received and many disadvantaged children have benefited from the people of Marlborough's generosity. It would be nice if we could target some of these gifts back into Marlborough and I welcome any suggestions in this day of the Data Protection Act which makes it so restrictive.

I would like to thank all the committee members and helpers who made the Spirit of Christmas in Marlborough and the inaugural Christmas Draw Ball the success they were. It was especially fun on the night of the Christmas Draw Ball where a casino, draw and music kept everyone entertained.

In particular I would like to thank the four main sponsors of the event, Sudbury, Lemon & Co Solicitors, David Dudley and ASA Wealth Management. I hope the people who attended either event appreciate that without these sponsors the events simply could not exist.

I would like to make the point, as the outgoing chairman, of the difficulties in raising support in a local community from companies with a national base.

If even more national companies move into the high street and everyone had the attitude of some of the existing largest national retailers in Marlborough, then no local events would ever be able to go ahead.

One supermarket ended up not providing any sponsorship and failed to write an acknowledgement to several letters when it decided to withdraw any funding offer. It is unacceptable and rude for national companies to ignore the local communities when those same communities provide so much of their profit and support them so highly. Measure this against small shops in Marlborough who from much smaller profits provided £100 plus to help the Marlborough events.

Therefore, a big thank you to all the businesses who supported the event. If you want a bigger say then write a letter of suggestion to us or come and join the committee. I would also like to thank the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce in particular for providing moral support, PI Insurance but crucial significance, the lights which had been put up over the previous two and a half weeks by the 'two Phil's'. They do it often without thanks and now have to take them down again as I write this.

J CALDWELL

Spirit of Christmas committee

Marlborough