There is talk of the XI cutting back services.

Also, we have our village shop shutting in September, due to retirement, which the shopkeepers duly deserve, but it won't be opening again, leaving us without a shop.

The paper shop is closing down and will be turned back into a house.

The chip shop is selling up and there are rumours the post office may be closing.

Thorney will soon be like a ghost town.

So why do we need more housing, as there will be nothing for the new residents to do?

Dorothy Fielding
Smithfield Road,
Thorney,
near peterborough


Why aren't the PCSOs ticketing?

Your paper frequently makes mention of illegal parking in Peterborough, often in the city centre.

As a visitor to Peterborough most weekends, I notice illegal parking is usually prevalent in Queen Street, adjacent to the post office building and surrounding area.

I assumed this was because there were no Police Community Support Officers working on Sundays.

However, after visiting the city centre on a recent Sunday afternoon, I discovered PCSOs do "work" on Sundays.

There were still numerous illegally parked vehicles present.

R Atkin
Ridgeway,
Eynesbury,
near St Neots


Pensioners need protection from predators in the parks

I HAVE just been Listening to the BBC1 news telling us nature heals and lessens stress and suggesting we should take a walk in the park or countryside.

I have been doing this for years. I am 68, and benefited from it until last year, when I was mugged in Bretton Park, Peterborough.

I still take my walks, but have the stress of looking over my shoulder and into bushes to make sure the recent bag snatcher doesn't jump out on me.

I feel safe in the Queensgate Centre, surrounded by people.

Doctors should be prescribing fewer drugs and take a walk in the park but instead give us advice on how to protect ourselves if attacked.

Maureen Butcher
Risby,
North Bretton,
Peterborough


Care to buy a bear?

I would like to make an appeal to your readers and ask them to support the "Buy a bear show you care" promotion being launched this July and August which will help two very special charities: The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and The Children's Trust.

Show your loved ones what they mean to you by buying a Forever Friends pin-badge from your local Hallmark Card Shop.

By donating just £1, readers can choose from four charming and collectable pin-badge designs.

All the money raised will be split between the two charities so they can continue to provide specialist support to the children and adults who are in need of care.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers provides information, advice and support to unpaid family carers, through a network of 144 centres across the UK and interactive websites www.carers.org and www.youngcarers.net

The Children's Trust provides education, care and therapy to children with multiple disabilities and complex health needs.

For further information please visit www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk

Claire King
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers