WITH reference to the apparent lack of interest in having street parties to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee (Monday’s Oxford Mail), I suggest that the reasons may not be apathy or anti-monarchy.

The wish to have a street party would come from a feeling of community within the street and that, in turn, comes from knowing and having friendly contact with one’s neighbours.

In many of the streets in the vicinity of the universities, any feeling of community of many of the residents would be towards their colleges.

Another factor is the tendency for people to move house more frequently nowadays.

In the past, families tended to live in their house for many years and thus to get to know their neighbours well.

It would then have been the mothers with children to suggest and organise things like street parties.

Such conditions are becoming rarer nowadays.

On a lighter note, further to the letter from David Collins (Monday’s On the Spot), I have for many years commented audibly that “they don’t look like real policemen” – because of the way they wear their hats.

I have come to the conclusion that the young actors are more concerned to have their face clearly visible – either to please their mums or, as actors, to impress potential employers.

JOHN BOLT, Barrington Close, Headington, Oxford