Sir.-The death of one of the best community halls happened recently when the crusher pulled down the Pen and Parchment.

Built for the community it was well used in the '70s with weddings, parties and clubs like the Pudding Club. The families that used the pub agreed the Pudding Club's name.

Back then it was a new estate and we had lots of new babies on the way, or very young children.

There was not much violence and children were taken care of by the parents if they misbehaved.

On the estate, everyone knew everyone else, so it was hard for the kids to do anything wrong.

And if anyone got out of hand in the pub, it would be the last time they did.

Pc Emmett rode his bike around the estates and all the kids knew him - and he knew their mums and dads! A quick word would be enough.

Alas, over the last few years, the Pen fell into the wrong type of client. I must stress there were still the few good old die-hards that used it, but on the whole it was known as the "Pen and Punch-up" or "Drug Pub".

I was saddened to see its death but I hope a new community centre will now be built on the estate, and in the constitution for members, it should be a case of "one strike and you are out". That will include anyone you sign in, as they will be your responsibility.

The new proposals that the residents of the estate have put forward have been taken on-board by our councillors who, incidentally, have toiled for a long time for us, and put forward to the borough and county councils in the regener-ation proposals for this area.

I hope they are able to make the work happen - and not just facelifts to keep us quiet, as has happened in the past.

The whole of the area needs millions spent on it, not peanuts anymore. We have had to live with neglect for so long now and people end up not caring for the area.

It seems that no-one wants to help us, except for our local councillors.

You can't walk down paths without discovering cracked slabs and grass all over the pathways. If the councils put more effort in, I am sure we would respond.

Likewise, we do not need unruly families. We should make it clear they are not wanted in our society anymore and no-one should support them. Then maybe we will get our estates back to the way they once were - safe for kids and their families.

Let's not be proud of the face of Basingstoke but what is behind the face. You can do a lot with just make-up.

-George Potten, Dryden Close, Popley, Basingstoke.