Thank you for diving in (From This Is Wiltshire)

I have just returned from a ride on my bike around Coate Water and stopped by the new water park adjacent to the diving board.

What a wonderful job has been done by everyone that worked on this project.

You only have to stand there for a few moments and listen to the screams of joy from the children as the water spouts shower them and then look at the faces of the parents who know they have at last got their youngsters away from their computers and put them where they should be – in the sun with their friends having a great time.

And best of all it’s free, so the less well off families are on a level playing field with the more affluent people of Swindon.

It took me back more than 60 years when my Mum would walk us nippers from the town down to Coate where we would play in the sandpit for hours and get so tired she would have to carry one of us home most of the way.

So often we read in this paper letters from people about all that is wrong with our councillors that we forget these people give their time and energy freely or for very little reward, irrespective of their political views, to help all of us in the town.

This was money well spent, you only have to see the faces of the people using it to know that.

On this occasion folks you’ve got it spot on, so give yourselves a well-deserved pat on the back.

On behalf of the population of Swindon, can I say a great big thank you.

R Cartright Pinnegar Way Swindon

Rewarded for failure

When your correspondent P Stokes laid into the ludicrous and dangerous traffic light phasing at the pedestrian crossing opposite Swindon railway station he was highlighting not just another piece of local incompetence (July 25).

The organisation responsible for that and what must be in the for the being the world’s longest running patio laying project, is the self-styled Forward Swindon.

That organisation is one of many public bodies that seem to be trying to emulate the out of control City of London banks. By which I mean that sanctions and job losses for failure seem not to apply to those at the top who are on mega-salaries in many parts of the public sector.

Whether it is the culture exemplified by a London council social services head who did “not do blame” (but was content to receive huge pay packets) or the connivance of councillors content to see more of the people’s money squandered on quangos that primarily “do” public relations and spin, this sort of thing needs to be stopped now.

Swindon’s councillors should immediately decide whether bodies such as Forward Swindon should be given a set of P45s instead of countenancing its continued mediocrity and failures.

Certain people, no doubt of an unduly critical nature, may also think that some so-called public servants and board members of quangos in this country seem to have more interest in filling their wallets than in fulfilling their public duty. And unlike the Swindon station forecourt they may appear to be coated with Teflon rather than concrete.

Geraint Day Southampton Street Swindon

Laybys near cemetery

There is always traffic congestion in Whitworth Road during rush hour between the crossroad junction and the cemetery. This is due to double parking.

However, if the council were to remove the five foot grass strip between the kerb and the footpath and instead put in laybys along that stretch it would help with resident parking and improve traffic flow.

H K Lucas Kennet Avenue Greenmeadow Swindon

A night with Blowers

I attended the Peter Baxter and Blowers evening at the Wyvern Threate last week. It was absolutely fantastic, an evening full of laughs and tales. The only down side was the attendance. It’s no wonder this town cannot attract entertainment of quality.

Trev Davis Lennox Drive Swindon Guide dogs thanks Swindon Guide Dogs for the Blind would like to thank all the staff of Nationwide Pegasus House for their generosity in raising £244 after holding a dress down day on July 27 2012.

All the guide dogs that attended enjoyed all the attention. The money will help to pay for four complete guide dog harnesses.

Alan Fletcher, Chair Swindon Guide Dogs for the Blind