Regarding 'No Britain in Bloom' (Oxford Mail, May 24), it didn't have to be like this.

Oxford Town Hall cut the budget for Cowley, Summertown and Headington, without looking for alternative ways of funding.

It continues to take sponsorship for the city centre, but doesn't look further for its satellite areas.

I have constantly asked at north east area committee meetings since February for information about obtaining sponsorship, the cost of it and a way of involving sponsors for Headington, to obtain hanging baskets within this area.

But my request has fallen on very deaf ears.

In March, the committee's area co-ordinator received a message on this subject, but unfortunately it didn't contain any answers, helpful suggestions or any positive forward thinking.

In April, the area co-ordinator and a councillor met the city works manager, but again with the familiar negative response known, I believe, as the 'brush-off'. It is now too late to obtain sponsorship and plant flowers.

If the city council was not so blinkered in having displays only within the city centre, we could well have had some decorative floral displays (maybe not up to Britain in Bloom standards), with which to brighten up and enhance the Headington area, bearing in mind Headington is a gateway for the city centre.

No doubt, as it is too late for this year, an answer may be forthcoming in June or July.

With Headington, Cowley and Summertown being within the city boundary, why are these areas always isolated?

I have dealt with the Christmas festive lighting decoration in the Headington shopping area for seven years, raising the required finance with help of local business, local people and the area committee.

I have also been asking questions about a citywide strategy for festive lighting to ensure its continuation, but again to no avail.

If Headington people wish to keep the Christmas lights and tree, I suggest they write to the council or draw up petitions to show that the festive lighting is important to them or, as with most things in Headington, they will just fade away.

JILL CUMMINGS, Retired Headington trader, London Road, Headington, Oxford