WHAT a pleasure it was to visit Oak Hill Park, Accrington, and see hundreds of people enjoying themselves at the Holland's Sounds Festival. Even the weather changed from a dismal morning to a sunny afternoon.

The parks are there for public use, also to admire. Anything that will attract people, families, children, to these areas must be welcomed.

I believe the parks are under-used. The suggested restaurant and car park in Haworth Park no doubt will receive many objections, but, to me, it will bring more people into the park and maybe more visitors to Haworth Art Gallery, renowned for its collection of Tiffany glass.

The down side was the quality of performers and the over amplified sound - I draw back at calling it music.

The rides for children were quite costly, eg: two slides down a rubber ramp for £1 seemed expensive to me.

Having said that, the overall picture was one of a successful afternoon, I think we have to remember the old adage - nothing ventured, nothing gained.

K SOWERBUTTS, Southwood Drive, Baxenden.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.