Alcester is an active town with a lively community feel and a lot of heart. It is an architectural gem with bags of character both physically and of the human variety!

Community-minded Alcestrians love the town and work hard with numerous organisations that only exist because local people have the energy, drive and enthusiasm to make things happen.

What would Alcester be like without Alcester in Bloom, Court Leet, Roman Alcester Museum Volunteers, Young Firefighters, Scout and Guides etc, not to mention a myriad of other clubs and societies.

Our newest town event, St Nicholas Night, was a great success and the streets thronged with around 3,000 people all there to partake in festivities particularly designed to help support local shops in the run up to Christmas.

Local people do need to continue to support their local shops and the closing down of Nigel Curtis' photographic shop is certainly a great shame. Our independent specialist shops are certainly integral to the character of the town.

Could you imagine a world where the only choice for shopping is out of town retail parks?

I agree with Mr Curtis that we should make even more of an effort to support out local shops.

Lise Evans

29 Chestnut Court

Alcester