Thanks to many for dock success (From Gazette Series)

Thanks to many for dock success

SIR - It was good to read (Gazette, November 12) of the positive interest in many quarters in the port of Sharpnes. Congratulations in particular to David Drew in securing a Parliamentary adjournment debate at fairly short notice, and I'm sure we all welcome the generally upbeat response he received from Charlotte Atkins, Transport Minister on the government front bench.

I know that David has also asked a number of Parliamentary questions on the Port in the past month, which have also produced useful responses, (though from a different Ministry, DEFRA!). Those interested can find these easily via www.parliament.uk.

As a former district councillor for the area, and a present member of the Gloucester Harbour Trustees, I was able to help David with some background for his Commons speech, and I see that I got 'mentioned in dispatches'. (It's nice, though a little embarrassing, to be thanked so publicly for doing so little!) The present success of the port arises from the hard work of many companies and individuals, firms like SDL,, the local and regional officers of British Waterways, the officers of Gloucester Harbour Trustees and the pilots, to name but some.

We thank them all for the prosperity, and the character, that they and the dock trade bring to the area. Long may it flourish as a working dock.

Bob Hall Cumbria Close Thornbury