we keep hearing our wonderful councillors saying that, as money is very short, more people should volunteer to help out in society to cover for the cuts in social care and youth work.

Over the years, the Big Bike Night, held at Cassington in June, has raised thousands of pounds for Cassington Primary School.

But now, although there have been no accidents, the county council has said that, due to health and safety worries, unless thousands of pounds are spent on closing the road the event will have to be cancelled.

Oxford Mail readers may remember my letter a few weeks ago concerning cycle races being held on open public roads, apparently with the blessing of Thames Valley Police.

In those cases, cycling clubs have people standing in the road waving red flags stopping the traffic with no thought for health and safety.

I’ve even seen cycle races taking place on the A34 between Botley and Abingdon – again, with no thoughts for health and safety and no police to be seen. Would Rodney Rose, the county council’s cabinet member for transport, like to tell readers why a social event on Cassington Green, with no racing involved, and which helps the primary school so much, is more dangerous than a cycle race along the A34 – the busiest road (and most dangerous for cyclists) in the county?

If he cannot, or will not, answer maybe Thames Valley Police would like to explain the difference.

Keith Brooks, Gateley, Horspath