AS chairman of Avebury Parish Council I write to say how interesting the village found the work of Brian Edwards in resurrecting the mid-war film on Avebury and its residents of the day.

It was part of the splendid exhibition in the Avebury Social Centre on the weekend of October 21 to 22.

For true villagers, or folk like myself who have had the good fortune to settle here, seeing how change has taken place and, in fact is still taking place, is both fascinating and a warning.

In last week's Gazette Mr Edwards is quoted as saying that when the original film was made: "Avebury was a village with a stone circle, now it is a stone circle with a village." His use of these few words sums up the situation succinctly.

In relation to this continuing change in the interest of the World Heritage Site, it is necessary from time to time for the parish council to press for recognition that the importance of the quality of life for the villagers must not be overlooked or given second place.

Only recently it was necessary to have support from our MP Michael Ancram to press home the need for action to resolve the problem of congestion in the High Street and Green Street area where, at certain times, residents find it difficult to have access to their homes.

The importance of access for emergency vehicles to these locations need not be stressed

This is not a case being made against the tourist industry, neither is it a political one. It is, however, a case being made for balance.

The main reason for this letter is to express the very great concern of the parish council about the Government's statement that consideration is being given to amalgamating parish councils, thereby giving more powers to local government at this third tier.

While on the wider scale there may be certain advantages in such reorganisation, in Avebury we see this as a possible dilution of local democracy in that a geographically wider elected group of representatives may not have the same priorities in relation to those living cheek by jowl with the Avebury monument.

Would the case for the protection of residents that Avebury Parish Council has had to make in more recent times be watered down or lost altogether?

These are considerations we argue when those who advocate change in the interests of the World Heritage Site tend to see their interest as the priority.

John Cronk

Avebury Parish Council Chairman