WE can assure Jeff Ody, the chairman of the Trust For Devizes, that all local councillors in Devizes have been united and working constructively, in various capacities, to retain a community hospital in Devizes.

Hospital services have certainly been under threat since the early 1990s. The support from DASH Devizes Action to Save the Hospital and throughout the Devizes Community won the day.

Of course we are disappointed that we are now facing a similar challenge.

It's all too easy for a relative newcomer like Jeff Ody to sneer at these efforts (letters March 20).

It begs the question whether he is using his position, as chairman of the Trust For Devizes, to widen the remit of the trust to the extent that he may be in danger of politicising a much respected voluntary body and compromising its integrity and independence.

He even chooses to ignore the very robust contribution made by Kennet District Council to the discussion document produced by the Kennet and North Wilts Primary Care Trust.

This stated, in a lengthy submission, that the retention of a hospital was central to Devizes Community Planning.

Furthermore, Mr Ody pours scorn on the public meeting, called by Devizes Town Council, on April 1 in the Corn Exchange, beginning at 7.45pm.

He does not seem to understand that, at this meeting, Devizes people will be able to preview the Hospital Services Options prepared by the PCT from the extensive discussions which have taken place.

People will, therefore, be much better prepared to contribute positively when the PCT present these options at meetings on April 4.

The first will take place between 9am and noon followed by an evening session from 7pm to 9.30pm in the Corn Exchange.

It is again too easy for Mr Ody to make unfounded allegations and irresponsible statements such as "banging heads together."

Local councillors are constrained by a code of conduct and an obligation to represent their electorate in a responsible way.

COUNCILLORS MARGARET AND RAY TAYLOR

Parkfield

Devizes