Shops and car park - it’s going too far

With reference to the leading article on the front page of 26th July issue ‘Vision for the Rec.’ I like to see Bath Rugby on the Rec as it has ways been. I would be happy to see improved accommodation for the supporters which would still allow availability for other users when not in use by Bath Rugby as per earlier designs but I draw the line at this latest proposal with retail outlets, food hall, underground car park etc - this is too much. The Rec as we know it will just disappear under a gigantic concrete structure. Lovely design and good imagination but build it somewhere else. I will definitely vote against it! John Smart Bathford

I have been assisting with research into the life of Albert Seers a local bell ringer who, whilst on leave during the First World war, composed a peal which on 12th October, the 100th anniversary of his death, will be rung by the bell ringers of St Michael’s Without, Broad Street, Bath. Albert, who was married to Emilie, was injured in March 1918 and after his return to the Dorset Regiment in September of that year died from injuries to his head. What must his wife Emilie, his parents and his siblings have suffered on receiving the news of Albert’s death? It was to prevent such dreadful experiences ever happening again that the European Union was founded, and yet the UK has decided to reject what has for the past 70 years ensured that the young of Europe do not have to sacrifice their lives and their spouses and families do not have to experience the premature loss of a loved one. Whatever the cost of membership of the EU surely such cost pales into insignificance when compared to the suffering which membership has avoided. John Carter Bath Resident