I was saddened to read the letters from Sonny Charles regarding the proposed fish and chip shop in Ickleford. For a person whose family, for the past three generations, has made their living from the village store; to denigrate the village in such a man

I was saddened to read the letters from "Sonny" Charles regarding the proposed fish and chip shop in Ickleford. For a person whose family, for the past three generations, has made their living from the village store; to denigrate the village in such a manner can only make everyone believe that he has joined the ranks of the grumpy old men .

Regarding the fish and chip shop, yes it would be an added facility in the village that a lot of people would enjoy, but not in the middle of a residential area. An ideal alternative site would be the spare piece of land adjacent to the village stores or is that too close to where Sonny lives!

Does Sonny remember a number of years ago complaining bitterly to parish councillors about the curry take away van that was serving meals from the car park almost opposite the Village Stores?

These views rather smell of "Ok, providing it is not in my back yard"

COLIN THURSTANCE, Ickleford Parish Councillor