As the year ends and the news are filled with so much information about an alternative currency in Europe, can anyone out there explain why it will be more difficult to use Euros instead of Francs/Marks/Croner/Dollars etc.?

As I understand it, if you go to France you will use Euros instead of Francs. The same situation will happen over the United States of Europe. However in the United States of America, the Dollar will still be required. Even Japan will not be using the Euro as we will not. So why all the fuss?

It couldn't have anything to do with the present government wishing to take us into the ‘USE’ by the back door, would it?

Even the newspapers are reporting that government is hoping we will accept the Euro just as we do Pounds.

I’m afraid that any government who wishes to link us with such a horrible place to live as France appears to be, really is taking the p***, as over the Christmas period hundreds of refugees tried to leave France for the nice Kingdom of Great Britain.

If France and the rest of Europe is so bad, do we really want to join and have to bring ourselves down to their standards?

May I trust you had a super Christmas and look forward to a healthy and prosperous New Year and don't forget to keep in touch!

During my wanders around the town, I start to think how useful it was for the Town Council to put a footpath in from near a school entrance to a Borough Council play area. So much thought was put in that most children then want to go home - only home is not along the path, but across the playing field.

During the winter months (October to April generally), the field is fairly muddy, particularly as two football pitches are between the play area and ‘dry land’.

Never mind, it’s only money, which brings me back to muddy footpaths. The old tarmac path alongside the allotments in Butts meadow is now so overgrown that the myriad's of feet coming down the ‘footpath’ suggest that tarmac really ought to be replaced - particularly as a nice new seat has been installed.

Oh, I suppose it’s too much to ask for ‘doggie poo’ bins to be placed where people walk their dogs well as where they exercise them. Walking down town carrying a bag and dog(s) in tow does tend to limit your activities somewhat!