RECENTLY we visited friends in Weston, something we have done for many years as we used to live in Queens Road and return there regularly. Quite honestly, it depressed us more than ever to see how tatty so much of Weston's front still is. What is the matt

RECENTLY we visited friends in Weston, something we have done for many years as we used to live in Queens Road and return there regularly.Quite honestly, it depressed us more than ever to see how tatty so much of Weston's front still is. What is the matter with the council that it can let it become so shabby and down at heel? Seaside towns abroad are so awake, lively, smart and modernised. Poor old Weston is the same as it was when we lived there in the 60s and 70s. No, it is worse. There was a theatre on Knightstone and there was an open-air swimming pool. Now these places are derelict and have been boarded up for years. There used to be hotels with some status but that is no longer the case. When we drove towards the old pier, what a shock. We had imagined it had been restored many years ago, but no, it is just falling apart. From time to time we hear of someone ready to redevelop some of your more-than-tired sites, but nothing ever seems to come of the projects. Ridiculous, all of it, leaving the town to remain looking old fashioned with one of the shabbiest-looking fronts we know. The redeveloped old Royal Hospital on the beach does look a success, which shows things can be achieved if given half a chance.This is a heartfelt criticism from people who used to enjoy living in Queens Road, next to the nicest park in town. You really do need to look around and see the town from an outsider's eyes and if you are not depressed then there is no hope for the future, a future that should have come years ago.MR AND MRS D H GOULD-SMITH - Broadway, Ilminster