One thing that has become apparent to me is the simple and glaringly obvious fact that the only letters written in favour of this fence have been from the cricket club, while those against have come from a large number of residents of Diss who regularly use the meadow all year round.

At the second public meeting of the town council, a petition of 411 signatures was presented – this petition is still growing – but unfortunately we, the residents of Diss, were only given ten minutes to put forward a case against the proposed fence.

We were not given time to counter any argument the cricket club put forward, or to offer any alternative solutions.

As a result, the town council voted in favour of the fence. Unfortunately members of Diss Town Council were not willing to listen to the voice of the people who elected them.

Again I would like to say: this Meadow has been enjoyed by the people of Diss for decades and it is there for the people of Diss.

How on earth does anyone think that putting a fence around this open space would make it more attractive?

Secondly, if the problems are as bad as the cricket club say, how is a fence going to solve this?

Evan Heasley,
Skelton Road, Diss

The letter from Mr Quick and the Diss Cricket Club Committee (Letters, October 24), raises a number interesting points too numerous to reply to in a short letter

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I was pleased that my assertion that no break-ins had occurred since the metal shutters were installed was confirmed in that letter.

Surely this indicates that prevention is the best policy?

Several ideas have been suggested in previous letters from local residents, including a shed for winter storage of vulnerable equipment.

So I was delighted when visiting the field last week, I saw all nets – including those along the residential fence – had been removed to safety from both vandals and the inclement weather. An innovation warmly to be welcomed. It only now remains to find a safe haven for the sight screens.

Another suggestion made to me in conversation recently was that a security guard during the hours of darkness would cost less in the long run than an expensive un-people friendly fence. An example of lateral thinking?

Julia Brett,
Frenze Road, Diss

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Hospice helpers say thank you
On behalf of East Anglia's Children's Hospices Diss Friends' Group, may I thank all who took part in our quiz and chips evening at Palgrave Community Centre on October 10.

Fifteen teams took up the challenge and after a hard-fought battle, Outnumbered stormed home. The evening raised £271 for the charity.

On October 18 guests at the Eye Community Centre heard the beautiful voice of Gill Nicholls, who sang a large repertoire of songs from the 1920s to 1950s and concluded the evening with a medley of Old Time Music Hall favourites.