Estates can play a part in carnival

Dear Sir,

To follow up on your editorial on the Carnival in last week's Chronicle, it is an excellent opportunity to start building a sense of community within the many estates in and around the town.

One of the criticisms that some hold concerning the large number of outlying residential developments is that they do not contribute to the soul of Congleton.

True, the children go to local schools and they use the local social and health services when needed.

What they don't do is come into town to shop, eat and be entertained at least to the extent necessary to make Congleton the town it could be.

If each estate formed a residents' association to participate in each year's Carnival, this could be the start to a more vibrant local community that would have many additional advantages.

I am sure one of the august bodies in the town would offer a worthwhile prize for the best float and this could build some healthy competition as well as a sense of pride.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Peter Hirst

Middlewich