Had the venue for the Southend County Cricket week still been Southchurch Park, I have to say that, as a local resident and an Essex member for many years, I would have been at one with Mr Riley (Dec 2) in mourning the loss of the week.

Southchurch Park had a certain charm and was home to many memorable matches over the years. Who of those privileged to have been there would ever forget the day when Essex became the only side to dismiss the great Australian team of 1948 in a day for 721?

I missed that match, but was present in 1964 when Essex gained another great victory over the Australians. But the powers that be, in their infinite wisdom, decided Garon Court should replace Southchurch Park. The reasons were presumably financial, there was certainly nothing aesthetic about the decision.

What spectator would cheerfully swap a compact, scenically attractive, characterful ground for the soulless, windswept expanse of Garon Court? I have never watched county cricket in a ground so devoid of atmosphere and will shed no tears at its demise.

As for boycotting the county ground as Mr Riley advocates, what true supporter of Essex cricket would take such drastic action simply because they were deprived of their local cricket week?

Where, I wonder, would Essex cricket be without loyal members and supporters from the Leyton, Clacton, Brentwood, Romford and Ilford areas?

J M Bramble
Leighview Drive
Leigh