Dear Sir
Dear Sir I saw my town, Hadleigh, through the eyes of two relations from London, their delight when they saw the historic buildings, the shops all with their hanging baskets etc. They visited the Pet shop, Partridges and others and they were amazed there was nothing to compare with our town where they lived. We visited the river walk, saw the small holding with all the ducks by Toppesfield Bridge, the Church and the Guildhall. They were shocked when I said Tescos wanted to build a store by the river, in their view Hadleigh was a lovely town which they found enchanting, so why spoil it and make it like all the others
Janet Bayliss

Dear Sir
The article on the front page of the August edition of HCN regarding ‘Hands Off Hadleigh’ protest rally was a revelation. The author blatantly declares, with obvious delight, that there were several outsiders in the crowd, obviously included to inflate the size of the crowd to give a false impression of the strength of their protest. Our supermarket is a local matter for Hadleigh and District, not for outsiders. How many others among the alleged 400 were also outsiders? The anti-Tesco petitions raised at the Hadleigh Show over many years contain names and addresses from all over East Anglia and provide an ideal calling card when gathering together a protest rally. Was this used to draw people into Hadleigh? It would certainly explain the many comments over the years from residents regarding the number of strangers on parades who are not recognised as Hadleigh residents. Another point is the number of children on parade, unaware that they are being used against the interests of Hadleigh for a ‘jolly good day out’ to sing songs, wave banners and swell the numbers. Or is it more serious? Are they being used to try to deceive our District Councillors on the Planning Committee into thinking there are more protestors than there actually are in order to influence their decision over the Tesco application, playing the numbers game? One positive result to come from the rally was the aerial photograph showing the derelict Brett Works site, close to the town centre and to the High Street shops, an ideal site for a supermarket to attract more trade and boost the vitality of the town. Hadleigh people are just as deserving of a supermarket as people in other towns and we sincerely hope that our District Councillors will recognise this and give approval to the Tesco application before them, preferably before they give approval to a fourth supermarket for Sudbury, currently under consideration.
R. H. H. Smith, Tesco Supporters Group

Dear Sir
I’ve been parking in Magdalen Road car park for years now, in the long stay part, unfortunately on Monday 22nd August between 5.30am and 11.00am there was a hit and run on my car. I know the car that hit me was white as the paint was left on my Peugeot as it stands out on the orange paint of my car. I’m just writing and praying for any witnesses with any information to please come forward and contact the Hadleigh Police for me. Thank you.
Postie Michelle

Dear Sir
As I see it, and others, the Tesco Saga goes on and on. “Hands Off Hadleigh Tesco' Group” are on the verge of paranoia or to put it bluntly Chronic Insanity. It appears that any story to fuel their cause, seems to throw up all manner of sad absurd stories, into brainwashing us to believing that we don't need another food outlet, which Tesco's will provide. The Hadleigh Iron Bridge was in contention, now being classed as a Grade II listed building, this bridge under the Instruction of Suffolk County Council was built by Tilbury Construction Ltd, and opened to two way traffic on April 22nd 1988. A complete new build, how old does a building have to be, to get grade listings. What are the limits to how low a flying machine can fly, over a built up area, to take pictures, with high quality, as featured in August edition of the HCN? I have read many times in this magazine the people who have moved to this town because of its tranquillity, I am afraid you have come to the wrong place, this is a nice town, I have been here off and on over 70 years, apart from travelling with my father who was in the forces, and me doing 9 years in the Marines, I have been back 44 years. This town is moving forward, its going places, the 21st Century to be exact, If you don't like, how about a move to Lavenham, Clare, Cavendish, if you can afford it, these places are tranquil, and would be at your pace. We do need another food outlet, if its not to be the Brett Works Site, how about the piece of land between the New Fire Station and the By-Pass  an Ideal spot for our Tesco store, The build could be of the size planned for the Brett Work Site, then we all should be happy.   Babergh DC could then purchase the Brett Work Site from Tesco, and develop a leisure garden!!!
John Caley

Dear Sir
I have been swimming in Hadleigh Pool for more than 20 years, and I am devastated that the Health Suite has been taken away. Despite the recent comments made on Radio Suffolk by a Babergh employee that “people only use them to chat” is not only incorrect, but inconsiderate. Leisure facilities are provided to help people relax and unwind from their every day stresses, so in using these facilities we can socialize whilst maintaining a healthy body. I should also wish you to bear in mind that it was the people of Hadleigh who worked hard to raise funds to build these facilities in the first instance, and should therefore be entitled to have consideration in this matter. I do sincerely hope and pray that the Health Suite facilities be reinstated after completion of the alterations. What do other uses of this facility feel about the removal of the Health Suite? I now understand the area is to be used as storage and is looking less likely to be re-designated.
Joan Meredith

Dear Sir
I must take issue with Howard Gibbons' dismissal of my favourite cruise ship, Discovery, as "showing its age". A floating Gin Palace it is not, but that at least spares us the drunken lager louts. The bars, food, service, talks and entertainment are admirable, as can be borne out by the 40% -80% of passengers that are repeat bookings. This is a small ship, 630 passengers, with an enormous amount to offer. Valerie & I hope to make our fifth cruise on her next year.
Mike Woodman

Dear Sir
Although no longer a resident of Hadleigh proper, having moved down the road to Layham after 20 years in Benton Street, it is still my stomping ground, and old habits die hard, I find. One of my favourite places to go and walk my bouncy dog is still the river walk, where I relish the peace and beauty of the river and meet the occasional fox or swan. As I was walking there this morning, I decided that the Tesco debate is really easy to reduce to a list of pros and cons. So – here goes, and see if you agree! Cons: - Increased traffic with related pollution and noise (including light and noise pollution from HGV refrigerated vehicles having to make night-time deliveries to the store) - ‘one-stop’ shopping would lead to less, not more, choice of what to buy in Hadleigh due to the big boy steadily driving the little independent shops under. What we will have eventually is what has happened elsewhere in similar conditions: a high street that, if not dead, is soulless and bland. - This in turn would lead to local job losses from shop closures – meaning that all promises of ‘extra’ job opportunities from Tesco practically boils down to swapping a job in the unique environment of a small shop for one in a much larger, anonymous-feeling, one. - As for encouraging visitors to Tesco’s to leave their weekly shop melting in their car boot while they spend more time and money wandering up and down Hadleigh High Street (a big part of the Tesco’s blurb if you remember)….when was the last time YOU did that after your weekly shop? Really?!! - The wilderness, albeit semi-tamed, of the river walk environment, with its varied wildlife and feeling of total ‘away from it all’ tranquillity and beauty, all of this, or at least a large part of it around the Tesco’s proposed riverside site, will vanish. And when it’s gone, it’s gone. What swan or duck or other river dweller will ever benefit from the unavoidable “let’s chuck some trolleys in the river” lark that is bound to appeal to some idiots on a regular basis, not to mention the loose plastic bags and general ‘stuff’ that is going to clog up their home? And please don’t think that it won’t be like that – because these things happen. Pros: - One more supermarket to drive to. Whooppee!!!
C. Scott Fox, Layham