JOHNNY CHICK, of Market Square, Dartmouth, writes:

I respond to the replies to my letter published in the Chronicle, October 28. In order:

Cllr M Stone: Albeit you have all my support and backing regarding your views of Dartmouth and the wonderful people who live here, it is in my opinion that you have missed the whole point of my letter.

Okay, regatta has been around for 165 years but the air displays and cheapjacks have not.

I respect with envy the invitation you had to the opening ceremony of the 2010 regatta but did you attend the closing ceremony?

One can romance the event but what really happens? How many of us are proud to look over the Royal Avenue Gardens and see the equivalent to the Fields of Trafalgar after Napoleon had fled?

Lake Street, home to our famous poet, is a quiet mid-town, lazy, terraced and peaceful road for 51 weeks of the year. Regatta brings in a new make-over – used condoms, broken glass, blood and plenty of fighting. Perhaps we should rename it for that week Little Big Horn View or Custer's Last Stand Avenue?

Susan Pepperell: I did not mention 'that most of the people staying in the town' or the words ' hard-working individuals' nor did I mention the 'hard-working committee'.

The town and its surrounding area would be as busy with holiday-makers with or without regatta in August and if the event as a whole were to be reviewed it would be far more beneficial to the town and county. I will stand my ground as I believe Dartmouth to be a greater place than many realise and that we should be wiser and more understanding to the type of person who is prepared to spend their money here.

To protect and stand by the ever-increasing mob of individuals riding on the back of free society and behaving in an anti-social manner is unacceptable today.

So why does Dartmouth almost invite them to its town?

I did not say that these ill-mannered characters fail to star at any of the other events the town hosts but those events are far more in control and, if the regatta committee considers the issues in question, people will continue to holiday here and in the surrounding area with enjoyment and not threat.

Cllr Stephen Smith: Downton Abbey; Down And Out In Beverley Hills; Upstairs Downstairs, Downtown Manhattan – what are you talking about? I live in a one bedroom-bathroom roof space of a house, I couldn't afford one of the roof tiles. I don't own a car or a dog. Just for the matter of interest, I don't actually own anything !

You are a very lucky man indeed to be able to live in a council house.

The people I am describing come from all walks of life to include castles and penthouses, yachts and bicycles, planes and helicopters, caves and matchboxes. Please do not think for one minute that dross come from one place. I did not mention champagne or expensive restaurants, however I do enjoy the odd gallon of cider and a burger or two but, after consumption, I know how to behave .

I believe we are all striving for the same thing with different views, which is fine. But please don't give me the ever-boring story of defending someone coming to our fabulous town because of a cheap day out enabling them to wander the streets in a free-for-all and act out some fantasy as if they are a one-string puppet in the remake of Thunderbirds, while trying to compete in the World Championship Out of Work Limbo Dancing Final on an oiled canoe!

Regatta is a great event but out of control. Let's get it back to a great event.

PS: Dross has many meanings two of which are:

Dartmouth Requires Only Substantial Spenders.

Dartmouth Regatta Official Scrumpy Swiller.