I would like to address Mr Simon Watson's letter to the Advertiser (October 16) and concerns regarding the governments plans to strengthen  the hunting act legislation and that it might take up vital parliamentary time away from what he feels more serious issues facing our country.

He will be delighted as I am to hear amending an existing law and legislation does not require any lengthy parliamentary time, votes or scrutiny in the Lords and is usually passed and nodded through by all three political parties in a short debate. I must remind Mr Watson countryside criminality like fox hunting, poaching, hare coursing and thefts from farms are having a devastating effect on our local farmers and rural communities.

As for his rather childish remarks of me counting blue light bulbs at Christmas that was a comment I made in the Romsey Advertiser 20 years ago and I was commenting on the three Christmas trees above Romsey's Conservative Association drinking club just having 68 blue light bulbs. I felt politicalising the pagan festivities was in bad taste. I feel Mr Watson will be pleased to know with the introduction of new LED energy saving flashing light bulbs it is near impossible to count them so I refrain from doing so. I hope this will put Mr Watsons mind at rest on these matters.

Peter Sowerby,

Lavington Gardens,

North Baddesley

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