The Wolvercote Commoners' Committee is not opposed to events such as the firework display at The Plough, as Dennis Hambridge claims (Oxford Mail, November 22).

However, as you will be well aware, public events such as this require proper supervision and adequate insurance cover.

The committee was concerned about possible accidents resulting in injury - and any subsequent claims arising from this.

Why? The Commoners' Committee is the custodian of common land in Wolvercote and, as such, would be held responsible for any accidents or injuries resulting from events staged on the land it manages.

We had had reports in each of the last two years, from members of the public attending this event, of improper firework practices resulting in dangers to children.

Despite what Mr Hambridge appears to believe, the landlord of the Plough did not offer the committee any evidence that public liability insurance had been obtained before the fireworks display, nor did anyone involved in the organisation of the event.

In fact, the committee was also unable to discover who was actually organising the event, which was another cause for concern.

Members of the committee are not killjoys, and we won't be apologising for acting in a responsible manner to secure the safety of those attending the event, something the organisers of the event seemed to have a cavalier attitude to.

Mr Hambridge is welcome to attend one of our regular open meetings to discover what the Commoners' Committee does for the community of Wolvercote before offering such uninformed criticism.

Perhaps, above this letter, you would consider a heading of similar size and boldness to that in your issue of November 22 stating, We are not killjoys, simply being responsible.

ANDREW BURCHARDT, Honorary Secretary, Wolvercote Commoners' Committee