ON Saturday, I formed part of the grateful crowd who lined Sheep Street in Bicester to welcome home the soldiers from 23 Pioneer Regiment from their tours of Afghanistan and Iraq.

It indicated to them, I hope, the feeling and support of the people of Bicester and this country for the role they have performed.

It was also heartening to hear the unrestrained cheering and clapping for them, and to see the amount of flags waving.

The British, notwithstanding their outwardly stoical appearance, indicated once more that when the occasion arises they are as patriotic as any other nation.

Those who ignore that usual silent majority take note. The car parks in Bicester were full, which is not surprising with regard to the number of people who travelled in from the surrounding villages to show their support.

Rumour has it that when asked if the Regiment could form up in Franklins Yard car park permission was refused on the grounds that it would take away revenue from the council.

I thought of this when I gave my change to the people collecting for the Army Benevolent Fund.

How nice it would have been to have in my pocket for that collection the money I had paid to park my car.

Perhaps Cherwell District Council, despite the financial constraints currently wreaked upon us by the banking problems, might donate Saturday’s takings from the car parks to the Army Benevolent Fund. I cannot believe that any of their council tax payers or visitors would begrudge that gesture.

Chris Payne, Turnpike Road, Bicester