This ranged from discarded coke cans, children playing on garage roofs within sight of the cricket pavilion and some cases of actual vandalism. All these are also experienced in many areas throughout the town.

We heard that the proposed fence would be much the same as that around any electricity sub-station, in matching green. In view of the area to be enclosed, this sounds more like that used around Sizewell power station.

Someone pointed out that the fence would not prevent most of the unsocial behaviour which is being claimed for it.

When Rectory Meadow was acquired for the town it was anticipated that it would be kept as an open area with public access. This same stipulation, we were told, was later embodied in the lease to the cricket club, where it was accepted and indeed stated that incidents of anti-social behaviour were likely to occur from time to time.

I have grandchildren playing cricket regularly over much of Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. They have yet to play a match behind a fence of any sort.

While no doubt all venues have their problems does Diss really want to be a "first" with a fence of this sort?

Despite all this, it seems that the committee agreed to support the fence. I say 'it seems' because it was far from clear at the time.

There was a great deal of dithering, uncertainty and, seemingly, embarrassment followed by an obvious reluctance to actually vote. One clear abstention, one clear against and the rest sat on their hands before, after some urging to make a decision, grudgingly and diffidently raising their hands.

I found it difficult to see how any decision made at that meeting could be said to be sound.

Pat Foreman, The Entry, Diss

We have a similar problem here in Long Stratton as the Rectory Meadow in Diss, a small area of open space which is marked Amenity Area.

In our case they want to fill it with housing. What we have in common is a lack of effective consultation.

We should all be working together to develop self help within the community.

B Webb, Sturmy Close, Long Stratton

I thought the councillors were voted by the people of Diss for the people of Diss.

Perhaps they do not read the local papers? To put a fence round the Rectory Meadow would be totally against Cittaslow concepts, totally against the wishes of those people who live in the area, totally against dog owners, totally against those who wish to keep open green spaces in Diss and very probably totally against those who like watching cricket matches. In other words, about 95 per cent of people living in Diss.

Surely there are better ways of curing vandalism? More police presence, CCTV cameras perhaps?

It needs time and discussion, all of which seem to be lacking these days.

Elizabeth Mooney, Pearce Road, Diss