This year Coopers Meadow has been well tended. Winding paths have been cut through the long grass, and they have been kept cut. No rubbish has been left there. It has been a bright and pleasant place in the centre of the town.

So nice in fact that before the rain came several families brought blankets and food and had a family picnic there.

Even groups of teenagers have been seen lying down, reading and talking in the meadow.

This is the first time I have seen it used in this way.

Now, from today, Monday, it has all stopped. The gates are closed and chained and padlocked. Why? Because six sheep have been put there.They have been given precedence over local people.

No longer can dogs be walked along the paths. There will be no groups of people sitting on the grass talking and reading, and there certainly won’t be any picnics.

Perhaps next year the meadow could be well tended again. A few picnic tables could be put in there and the sheep given another home.Then the visitors and local people could use it throughout the whole summer season.

Jane Condon, Kennet Mews, Marlborough.