HISTORY is littered with the results of those who ignored the majority in order to impose their own peculiar ideas.

In Ramsbottom we now have the shameful evidence of such a minority in action. As has been reported in the Bury Times, the unwanted "jug" has arrived, although at the time of writing the job is by no means finished. Come to Rammy, folks, and see how NOT to give a town centre a facelift!

We were told that time did not permit a full sounding-out of local opinion before "they" decided we had to have the jug. But now there is plenty of time to ask us - the locals, not the visitors - who have to live with it every day.

Although I have strongly opposed such a work of "art" in our town centre, I am quite happy to accept the majority view. Just give us all a chance to say what we think.

There has been much healthy discussion about our "attraction" and I hear that folk are even coming up from Bury to laugh at it. For me, and for many other long-lived residents of Ramsbottom, that hurts deeply. Our opinions have, to date, been ignored and we will not let the matter rest.

ALAN COOKSON,

Butler Street,

Ramsbottom.

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