I write in response to M. Slade's letter in last week's 'Banffshire Journal'. What a pity M. Slade chose not to elicit the truth before using the medium of this paper to spread rumour. The facts are as follows:

Earlier this year it was reported that Aberdeenshire Council was talking with the Banff and Macduff Community Trust Ltd (chairman Mr Ian Hardie) and other groups on the future of the Banff Links caravan site. As a seasonal resident of the site and a resident of Macduff I applied for membership of the trust as a potential means of gaining information on their position. I told other site residents I was doing this.

I happened to meet Mr Hardie and indicated that a number of residents would be interested in having a meeting in order to gain information about what was happening. He kindly agreed to this request, and a date was set.

A notice was created, stating the date and time and inviting everyone. At the warden's suggestion the notice was placed on the notice board in the site laundry some 10 days before the event. The site is large and I also informed persons I knew by word of mouth. I am aware, though, of persons who knew of the meeting but chose not to attend.

The meeting was brief, introductory, and of a very general nature. Trust members introduced themselves and Mr Hardie informed those who attended of how the trust might operate were it to bid for the management of the site. There was brief discussion from site residents of the past history of the site and some of the potential issues the trust might need to consider. Contrary to M. Slade's letter, at no time was there any discussion of excluding touring vans or children.

As Mr Hardie expected to meet with Aberdeenshire Council within the near future, three individuals were identified as contact points, these being Veronica Johnston, Alan Stewart and myself.

I hope this provides clarification for site users and fellow residents of Banff and Macduff, particularly for M. Slade. It is clearly harmful if false rumours are propagated. False information and bad publicity can only act as a disincentive to any parties who may be in discussion with the council and may prove harmful to the future of the caravan park. - Yours etc,

JAN SUTTON

Stance 24.