SIR - Having read the article Worry as ranger retires (Herts Advertiser, July 30). My husband and I are very concerned that when Peter Newell retires as the Bricket Wood common keeper that St Albans District Council is not going to replace him. Having w

SIR - Having read the article 'Worry as ranger retires' (Herts Advertiser, July 30). My husband and I are very concerned that when Peter Newell retires as the Bricket Wood common keeper that St Albans District Council is not going to replace him.

Having walked my dogs on the common for the last 30 years I have contacted Peter Neal on a number of occasions: to deal with a tree that has fallen across a footpath, teenagers causing a nuisance (riding motor bikes, etc.), people lighting firers or telling him of a dead animal that I had come across on one of my walks

How can the district council justify not replacing the warden? Thank you Sue Featherstone for bringing this matter to all of us that walk on the common.

Happy retirement Peter Neal.

KATE SHELLEY

Rosedale Close

Bricket Wood

SIR - I have read with some concern about Peter Neal, our common ranger, who is retiring. As a Bricket Wood resident and dog walker of many years, I am amazed by the decision not to replace him.

As a dog owner, keeping the footpaths clear and safe are of paramount importance. Dogs and other animals can be harmed by broken glass and diseased and dead animals, and so of course can we.

Peter would clean all of this as well as deterring vandals who leave broken bottles, etc. Other areas in the village often have broken glass which is a danger to us all. This is rarely cleaned up by the council.

We all know who to contact in the event of a problem, which I have done on several occasions, to rescue injured animals which would otherwise be left to die.

I do hope that this decision will be reconsidered so that the common can remain a place of beauty for us all to enjoy.

PAULINE A PRINGLE

Ashridge Drive

Bricket Wood