The deputy leader of the North Wiltshire District Council apologises to Corsham people who were outraged by her knitting during what was, to them at least, an important planning meeting.

In the same breath she announces that she will continue to do it.

Those who choose public life ought to be very much aware that public appearance matters.

Whether Ruth Coleman's concentration is improved is not the point.

Any normal onlooker would find such behaviour inappropriate, and therefore she shouldn't do it.

A responsible chairman with any pretension to be a leader should have a quiet word behind the scenes, and put a stop to the silly habit. If Ruth Coleman really finds it essential to calm her mind during what to her must be routine council business I suggest that she takes up making bobble hats full time.

If the elected council leader is prepared to allow not only knitting but sleeping, reading, letter writing and conversation, he too should let someone with better qualities of leadership take over.

The whole episode speaks volumes about the calibre of some of those nowadays voted into local government.

It also goes a long way towards explaining the quality of their decisions.

D A FOTHERGILL

Notton

Lacock

Chippenham