JOHNNY CHICK, of the Old Market, Dartmouth, writes:

It is quite extraordinary how many individuals jump out of their hiding place and into the public eye when someone else speaks out and airs an opinion.

I suggest that the majority who responded to my last comments about the regatta read it once more as it would appear that again they have missed the point.

John Tremlett: My letter was about regatta and not a bike race but since you mentioned it.... the cycle race didn't go on for four days and run until 11pm at night. Bikes don't have the same appeal as cheap jacks, fair grounds and free air displays.

Jan Henshall: I was not embarrassed by people enjoying themselves! I was embarrassed by groups of idiots who couldn't get the bottle neck they were swilling from for the 40th time, to fit the hole in their head. The result being the same as an eight month infant faced with a bowl of vindaloo and racing pigeon mulligatawny soup. There is a difference between enjoyment and the result of drinking 100 gallons of juice before 3pm and still attempting to pour more in.

One does not have to achieve a major award in brain skills to spot one of these characters. They behave in a strange way because they are only visiting for a day. They walk around in a confusing pattern, usually a circle with their heads tilted back at an almost unachievable angle so nothing leaks from the intake valve. If eventually that type of person realises they can't swallow any more and decide to use violence and foul language as a way of enjoyment then why not give them, without choice, a nice cold prison van for the night.

Caroline Skinner: You must read more carefully. I did not mention anything about disliking the regatta. In fact, I said how fabulous Thursday and Friday were. It is not about who does all the hard work, it is all about the committee making changes to improve the regatta.