Sir – I would like to take the opportunity to inform all members and friends of Didcot & District Archaeological Society that all future meetings of the Society will take place at Northbourne Community Centre, High Street, Didcot, on the second Wednesday of every month, October to June at 7.30pm.

Our first meeting will be an illustrated talk by Jane Card on history through the eyes of the artist on October 13, followed by the AGM. Please check our website www.ddahs.org.uk for further details.

Our change in venue and dates are due to the action of the Didcot Town Council who have recently closed down Didcot Civic Centre to the residents of Didcot and district.

This is in common with about 14 evicted local societies, social and drama groups and Didcot’s CAB have had to make alternative arrangements for 2010-2011 and probably beyond.

The Didcot Town Council seems to intent to press ahead with major reconstruction plans. However, to date no building work appears to have taken place.

In these days of severe financial restraint and draconian Government cutbacks, Didcot Town Council have obtained a loan from an undisclosed source of £1.35m to be repayable by a local levy on the council tax of between one and 1.5 per cent to the residents of Didcot and district for the next 25 years.

It’s strange in these days of high austerity and draconian financial cutbacks that the Didcot Town Council is permitted to go ahead with such ambitious plans.

Eugene Coyle, Didcot