SIR,

As Beacon correspondents were formerly restricted to 250 words many short, readable letters about the market are welcome.

Established within the square by medieval charter (see page 4 of 'The Shire Hall'), the 1834 'New Market Act' permitted its removal during essential alterations to its historic position (page 23).

Subsequently, George Maddox designed a new hall in Priory Street and sales were divided between the Shire Hall (grain, hops, wool) with perishable foods sold in Maddox's Market Hall (pages 21 to 23), so it has been split before.

When destroyed by fire in 1963, local influences secured that site for the Nelson Museum and the market returned to the Shire Hall arches (page 25).

In the 1990s, the history of Chippenham Mead was also comprehensively researched.

Incidentally, I have never written an anonymous letter – so any unsigned rantings against our councils are not mine.

Do they justify their cost? Some may rejoice in those social 'musings' every week but all should be familiar and respected figures without introducing 'getting to know you' coffee mornings, while there is strict etiquette covering the valuable regalia. It is not their bling to wear at parties – it is our heritage.

Can the dominant political parties replace ineffective candidates?

Their chance is approaching but sitting incumbents usually smugly stay, increasing their precepts and continuing to fail us.

Kirstie Buckland

(Monmouth)