I AM currently serving in Afghanistan and have had the Penarth Times sent to me so I can read all the local news.

However I was just wondering if the letter from Cllr Geoff Cox, March 10, giving some "Street Party Advice" was an early April fool?

In the good old days, neighbours would have just joined together for a wonderful celebration.

In this instance, Cllr Cox kindly explained the numerous council forms that had to be completed, listed the ridiculous reasons for them and then threw in how much it would all cost.

The last comment offering support on organising a Royal Wedding street party was the most patronising statement I have heard in a long while.

Members of the public are quite capable of running an event – it’s just the overwhelming desire and bureaucracy of the burgeoning public sector that wants to control everything we do.

C Whittaker