Mrs Grant's tribute to Bill Montgomery (Bill's insight and humour will be sorely missed', Times Letters, November 29) echoes what I feel.

You were the only local paper to print this sort of much-needed insight into local government affairs, throwing a penetrating light to illuminate the information put out by the spin doctors at the council.

Alfred Neville, Park Road, Barnet

I enjoyed reading Bill Montgomery's column Notebook regularly. It is sad he has retired as I will miss the article each week greatly. I am hoping you will find another journalist to write a similar column.

It seems a great public service by the Hendon Times to keep the council under scrutiny and not let them get away with silly behaviour, whatever the party in power.

Pierre Jeanmaire, Finchley Lane, Hendon

December 12, 2001 18:22