COUNCILLOR Gerry O’Donnell is cheeky in warning new community groups “not to reinvent the wheel” in trying to keep independent businesses alive and generally rejuvenate Evesham.

After years of dubious planning decisions and poor council oversight perhaps people feel somewhat let down by their elected representatives, and the stonewalling on legitimate questions regarding the bridge saga will not have helped.

Democracy means listening to people on matters directly affecting them in between election days.

I am sure they are not trying to reinvent the wheel; it’s just that the current wheel is little flat and not functioning as it could or should.

If people perceive little being done, either little is being done or it’s not visible and those involved in the “processes already set up” perhaps need to re-engage with their electorate, talk-up successes, protect the town’s assets and work with new enthusiastic people.

Evesham isn’t what it used to be. Trying to get back to an idealised past would be folly, but the town still has huge potential.

It might have been better to seek help of those trying to make a real difference and listen properly to townsfolk than to issue “warnings”.

Evesham seems to be reawakening.

Keith Lloyd

Drakes Broughton