RE: The new residents’ association which formed in 2009 during the fight against plans for an athletics track in Hazlemere.

AS a member of the now disbanded Hazlemere Residents Association (HRA) for many years, I support the views of David Gantzel and Pam Ailward reported in the February 5 edition of the Bucks Free Press (“Ex-members hit out at ‘aggressive’ group”). David Wainman, who has worked tirelessly for various local causes over many years also gave his opinion.

The one big difference between the HRA and the Hazlemere Residents' Association 2009 is that the former was a democratic body. Every effort was made to contact every Hazlemere resident who for a nominal membership fee could vote on its actions.

As a Hazlemere resident I know nothing of Hazlemere Residents' Association 2009, other than that reported, which as far as I can understand has been set up to campaign for a group of individuals to voice their objections. Will we now have an HRA 2010, 2011, and maybe 2011b if two in one year etc, every time a controversial issue arises? Why not a more specific name?

One of the major successes of the HRA was the establishment of the Hazlemere Parish Council, for which it campaigned. I have faith in that elected body to voice the views of a village community, once served by three parish councils.

Brian Lacey, Laceys Drive, Hazlemere.