THE words ‘Great Marketing for Halstead’ has been ringing in my ears for 20 years and still no joy.

Halstead is not in Oxfordshire.

Halstead will never see busloads of tourists, Chinese or otherwise.

Our pavements all littered with dog mess, no public toilets and no more than four traders on the hill at any one time. We have a few shops, but 90 per cent are charities.

The river is an absolute disgrace.

The public gardens could do lots better. I’ve been around Halstead for 80 years.

The last 25 has never been so bad.

BD Pilgrim

Hedingham Road

Halstead