THE very large crowds that turned up in Weston during the Easter weekend were an encouraging sight and a reminder that tourists

THE very large crowds that turned up in Weston during the Easter weekend were an encouraging sight and a reminder that tourists do not share the residents' concerns about specific buildings and plans, because all the tourist needs is a beach and a High Street.Weston was also specifically named recently as one location that could benefit from global warming for the next couple of decades.I am personally optimistic about the forthcoming election because the list of candidates is far more comprehensive than it has been for ages and this allows a genuine examination of local opinion. The one peculiar thing about it is that the small group of miserable old men who have spent the last couple of years threatening, spinning, and abusing individual councillors in their declared run-up to 'sweeping them away' are conspicuous by their absence.Could I also congratulate the developers of St Saviour's Church in Locking Road for the excellent conversion work. I was christened there and all fears about the work were groundless.Spring is in the air and (some) people are smiling, so fingers crossed as things could be looking up.BRIAN AUSTIN - Alma Street, Weston