AS THE father of two sons under the age of eight, there are weeks when I read The Cornishman and simply want to weep.

For too many weeks now we seem to have been fed a diet of complaint and acrimony against harbour developments in Penzance, modern architecture and visible sources of renewable energy in Penzance and the redevelopment of much of Hayle.

What all of these projects have in common is that they are designed, in one way or another, to promote sustainable economic development in what is one of the most economically deprived districts (Penwith) of one of the most economically deprived parts of the UK (Cornwall).

For some people who live in Penwith it is their "little bit of heaven" (expensively purchased in some cases!) and they would not live (or at least own a property) anywhere else.

They keep an unchanging impression in their minds of how Penwith should be, which seems to look back towards the middle of the 20th century rather than forward into the second decade of the 21st. These people should realise that they, like me, are simply custodians of Penwith and will pass it on someday as an inheritance to our children and grandchildren.

But what are we leaving them?

Will they be able to stay if they wish or will they simply join those like me who had to leave (for a while at least) for the lack of decent jobs and an economic future?

It seems slightly ironic that Penzance Amateur Operatic Society recently put on a production of Brigadoon (a mysterious village trapped in the past).

Penzance Amateur Operatic always put on a great show and Brigadoon has some great songs, but is this the future we want for our children and grandchildren?

EUGENE MORICE

Gulval