Plain speaking: THE Community Plan brochure from the City of Durham is vague, abstract, boring and pompous!

It's full of expressions like 'economic driver', 'inward investment' and 'regeneration initiatives'.

They've had three 'visions' and even more 'aspirations'! Do you actually know what a 'culture' is when it's not in a Petri dish? I don't. Can you spot the difference between a 'strategic' partnership and any ordinary run-of-the-mill partnership. Would you actually be able to tell if this partnership didn't do any 'nurturing' for a day, or a week, or a year? No? So why do they produce all this wordage? 1. It's impressive and it looks organised. 2. It's comfortably vague, so it's difficult to pinpoint failure. 3. Every other corporate body talks like this, so it must be proper!

If Durham district planners ever wish to glance down from their corporate cloud and do something as specific as say, dealing with dog-dirt, may I suggest they adopt this aim: 'To foster in the canine community a culture of corporate responsibility, civic pride and environmental awareness'? I'm sure the dogs would know what it meant. Come on, talk straight and cut the faeces.

Nicholas Leake,

Durham.

Support garden project

HAVING grown up in Durham City and seen the changes that have occurred over the last two decades with the closure of the ice rink and cinema and their replacement with oversized theme bars, it was with great excitement, relief and happiness to read about the plans for the renovation of the 'Lost Gardens of Durham' in last week's Advertiser.

As a Durham City resident I would like to pledge my support for a project that will bring back some character to this town and would urge fellow residents of the county to get behind this refreshing project.

Well done to all involved and the best of luck to you.

Mr P Bufton

Allergate Terrace

Durham City