SIR — I was surprised that Cllr Adrian Hicks’ pet hate was myself for turning up at every city council meeting as if I had nothing better to do (Chronicle, Belgarum Diary, May 7).

Surely, council meetings should be the apex of our local democracy; and if people don’t turn up, it is because they realise that they have no influence on what is decided.

Without our excellent local press, we would not know that a council meeting had even taken place.

One is constantly aware that freedom of the press is the bulwark of democracy.

Cllr Hicks is right in that I attend on behalf of the Winchester City Residents’ Association.

The association was formed over 40 years ago because it was evident that an influential, active residents’ association was needed to counteract the actions of politicians in power who tended to regard the city and its countryside as a personal fiefdom to do what they liked with, which normally would mean some grandiose scheme involving a developer.

The residents’ association, acting with other individuals and groups, was able to stop schemes like the M3 motorway through the water meadows, the destruction of Winnall Moors, and the demolition of the viaduct, as well as many more ‘catastrophes’.

It recognises that there must be change, but that this should be evolutionary and controlled.

I respect the work of most city councillors and attend meetings to hear intelligent comment.

If I have yet to hear this from Cllr Hicks, I would not wish to imply that he hasn’t made any, only that I have missed it.

What, however, is very illuminating is Cllr Hicks’ belief that Chilcombe is a UFO base with UFOs flying from it.

I personally would not have given any credence to this belief, except I am beginning to have some doubts.

Could it be that Cllr Hicks is an extra-terrestrial with other colleagues on Winchester City Council?

Certainly their views would suggest it.

Alan Weeks, Stanmore Lane, Winchester.