LIZ ROE, of Bayards Cove, Dartmouth, writes:

Having lived in Dartmouth for many years, and having watched the Regatta from when we first came here, it was such fun with so many people giving their free time and helping the young and not so young, families to take part.

Raft races from the Cove, negotiating the slippery pole and everyone enjoying the fun with cheers and shouts, all in good humour.

Brave folk rowing those lovely boats along the river and the joy of taking part and winning: the display of lovely old vessels: flags fluttering and everyone enjoying the speciality of Dartmouth Royal Regatta. Kiddies crabbing, slab painting and a whole variety of local fun and pleasure from which traders and visitors benefitted.

Of recent years all that has developed a different meaning and purpose, as if outsiders or status of the organisers is now the objective.

The Red Arrows, is a wonderful ten minute spectacle, but there are other rather meaningless flying performances, presumably at considerable cost and that dreadful Typhoon should, in my view, be totally banned.

Far too many poor stalls affecting local business – almost all out of town traders – in and around the Royal Avenue Gardens, which are sadly abused, with a large proportion selling 'food' of every type and all the consequent smelly litter which our gardeners have to clear each morning before we are awake.

A marquee in Coronation Park, which is just a brash shopping mall, and the fair on the car park, all of which costs a lot of money which is not going to our local traders at all.

Many people with children find it difficult to fund these expensive commercial activities, hence families restrict their young people to one visit to the fair, generally on the first day because the fair is cheaper.

Let us ask our young people and families; let us have an open forum, maybe Dart Radio or some other way of getting together, instead of it all being decided by yet another committee consisting of only adults who have either a commercial objective or act to gain personal notoriety.

Encourage the young to have a say in what happens and let us all listen to them for a change.