‘Town I was born in is losing its identity’

Last week I visited Maidenhead, the town in which I was born 78 years ago, and cannot believe the state that it has now become and I don’t think the new buildings are likely to improve it, some of which, I couldn’t tell if they were residential or multi-storey car parks!

Those that were finished, for example next to the town hall, would not be out of place in any Eastern European city, and I wonder how long the town hall itself will survive and the council remove itself to pastures new as the town loses its identity for ever.

No wonder the local populace walk hangdog down the High Street with not a smile to be seen. They need something to be proud of, not this shambles.

Nearly all my old acquaintances that I met on my visit feel let down and now shop elsewhere.

Maidenhead holds the world record for its football team continuously using the same pitch since 1871, something for the town to be proud of, and yet they are moved out of town to land that might be better utilised by letting Carters Steam Fair use it as a permanent site before they are forced to break up another Maidenhead attribute.

Council’s comment of not having any land available is a bit ripe as the showmen’s winter quarters in Holmanleaze was ‘sold’ in the 70s for the building of a Mosque and no other land was set aside for them.

Now is the time for the council to be seen to represent and help the local people regain their pride in the town and not make Maidenhead fit only for anonymous souls on the end of a commuter line.

DAVID SPICE

Bilsby Lincolnshire