REGARDING the protests at the Deva Stadium last Saturday.

Whilst not condoning a football pitch invasions by fans, in general, I was extremely disappointed at some of the remarks in condemnation of the protesters, particularly by older fans of the club and the Chester City manager Jim Harvey.

I myself was not at the match but have supported this club for over 50 years and have never known in all the lows, a period as bad as the last five years. The same apathy, by some, towards making a protest was present when Morrisons Construction were the owners.

The general opinion of eye witnesses was that the protests against the owner/s of the club were conducted peacefully, even by Ian Anderson a local solicitor, who I believe is the chairman of Chester City and was quoted in the media as saying the fans were entitled to protest.

The protesters were, I feel, driven to their actions through frustration at seeing their club die, and the apathy of the football authorities and the local media in not dealing with, and therefore highlighting, the real reasons for the demise of our proud little club.

The point is Chester City fans face a limited number of choices at this point. Either support the present downward spiral of the club into oblivion, or start afresh with a new one, because what has gone on at Chester City Football Club over the past five years is totally unacceptable.

TOM BROWNBILL

I TOTALLY agree with 'Fans View' about the disproportionate response by the police to the second protest when three or four young fans ran on to the pitch.

Whilst it was understandable that the referee should remove players from the pitch until the non-violent protesters were rounded up it should not have necessitated the abandonment of the game. If this is the type of response required to a peaceful protest then pity help us in a real emergency.

The authorities should be more concerned over the cause of the protesters than punishing the few who took part.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

HAVING witnessed first hand the events at the Deva Stadium on Saturday all I can say is heaven help us if there is ever a major disturbance that requires handling by our police.

In no way do I condone the actions of the protesting element in the crowd but it was so noticeable that when the first encroachment on to the pitch occurred the two police officers and stewards dealt with it quickly and in a calm manner. The police appeared to talk to the people involved and it was dealt with, with very little fuss.

When the incident occurred in the second half, what a different story!

Police officers and dogs arrived in such numbers there were almost as many of them as there were protesters and yet they appeared to be totally lacking any leadership.

There seemed to be no attempt to reason with the protesters or indeed any warning over the tannoy that their actions could cause the game to be abandoned. Was the officer in charge really saying the police present were incapable of keeping a relatively small group of teenagers under control for 20 minutes until the game was completed?

At no stage did there appear to be any danger to either players, officials or spectators and did they for one minute consider the small band of Eastbourne fans who had made the long journey north?

The actions of the protesters did not help the Chester cause but the actions or inaction of the police was totally disproportionate to the situation.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

City Odeon nightclub fear

CHESTER cinemagoers will be interested, and perhaps alarmed, to know that a planning application has been received to turn the Odeon building into a nightclub, with restaurants and bars.

If this goes ahead then our best opportunity to reinstate cinema going in the centre of Chester will have gone.

I believe that a cinema in this location is a vital component part of our social life. It is also a key part of our ‘offer’ to visitors to our city.

If cinema thrives in university cities such as Oxford, Cambridge, York, Brighton, Exeter and Aberdeen, I am convinced it can do so in Chester.

Leaving aside the potential loss of a cinema, some readers may be alarmed at what takes its place. The prospect of a nightclub at the North end of our Town Hall square is worrying. We arguably have enough in the city already.

However, the applicant must achieve permission from the planners to change the use of the building, from cinema, to premises where drinking is allowed.

If any reader of is concerned about this they may comment on the proposals by writing, by no later than December 10, to Nial Casselden at Development Control, Chester Area Office, Cheshire West & Chester Council, The Forum, Chester CH1 2HS, orr email nial.casselden@ cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk, telephone 01244 402504.

The plans are available for inspection at any time during office hours at the Forum Offices. There is no need to make an appointment. Ask for applications: 09/11740/FUL and 11741/LBC.

PETER BINGHAM

Odeon Action Group member

Farndon plan needs views

MANY Farndon residents know that Farndon Parish Council owns a fairly small burial ground behind the closed churchyard that surrounds the church.

Some years ago the parish council consulted all residents as to whether, once the burial ground becomes full, they wished the council to seek another piece of land for the purpose. Overwhelmingly, the answer was 'yes'.

Since then, the parish council has considered various parcels of land around the village, all of which are in private ownership. There is no suitable publicly-owned land in Farndon.

After much discussion, the parish council has agreed to work together with the Barnston Trust, which has offered the use of the field (or part of it) in which the Barnston Monument stands.

The Barnston Monument is, of course, itself a memorial to one of the earlier Barnstons, Major Roger Barnston, who served in the Crimean War and in India and died in 1857, aged 31, from wounds received at the Relief of Lucknow.

Both the Barnston Trust and the parish council believe this to be an ideal location for what would become a beautifully laid-out and well-cared-for burial ground.

However, the next hurdle is to gain planning permission, and for that an architect has been retained to draw up the necessary plans. These the parish council would like to present to residents for their comments.

The plans will be exhibited in the Memorial Hall lounge on Friday, December 4, from 7-9 pm and on Saturday, December 5, from 10am-noon.

VERA ROBERTS

Chairman, Farndon Parish Council