What happened to Dorchester-on-Thames in the 1960s and ‘70s was a crime against our heritage. In particular, the Big Rings, a Neolithic henge monument described as a rare concentration of ritual activity equivalent to Avebury and Stonehenge in national importance, was quite literally dug up and thrown away through gravel extraction.

The whole Dorchester-Warborough-Stadhampton area is recognised as a very rare example of what archaeologists refer to as a ‘preferred location’. That is a landscape which has been used as a central location for communal activity since time began.

Such locations are exceedingly rare in Europe and it could be argued that the Dorchester region is unique.

It contains many Scheduled Ancient Monuments and remains from many periods.

In 2003 eight local parishes came together and successfully defended the area from further massive gravel extraction plans.

Had these plans been implemented, the county council would have sanctioned the destruction of a substantial area of archaeological importance.

Now this area is being forced to defend itself again.

The first stage of the consultation process on the core strategy of the county council’s new minerals and waste development framework has been completed.

This strategy is being driven by a regional target that overestimates demand. The pressure to open new areas for extraction should and must be challenged.

It must be proved once and for all that this is not the right area for gravel extraction.

Archaeology is a finite resource. Dig it up and it’s gone forever. Today, unlike 40 years ago, there is a policy presumption that important archaeological remains should be left in situ.

As an Oxfordshire county councillor representing seven threatened parishes, and the Heritage Champion for the county, I will be doing all I can to support my local communities in their fight to protect their historic environment from destruction.

Lorraine Lindsay-Gale Oxfordshire county councillor Dorchester and Berinsfield County council Heritage Champion l G L Samson (Oxford Mail, March 26) accuses the Boundary Commission of gerrymandering over boundary changes to the Oxford West and Abingdon parliamentary constituency.

But this is not so.

Gerrymandering can only occur when politicians become involved.

A current example is David Cameron’s plan to reduce the number of MPs – which is intended to benefit the Tories by eliminating Labour seats disproportionately.

The Boundary Commission, however, is politically neutral.

While its decisions may disadvantage a political party in one place, they are likely to benefit the same party in another.

The same review that transferred parts of the Wantage and Witney constituencies into Oxford West and Abingdon also transferred part of Oxford West and Abingdon into Oxford East – a change that undoubtedly benefits the Liberal Democrats.

Mr Samson says nothing about this.

Does he regard this change also as gerrymandering? Or does he object to boundary changes only when they disadvantage the Liberal Democrats?

Chris Robins Kidlington parish councillor Foxdown Close Kidlington l Can anyone help me to find David or Bill Bourton?

I believe Bill lives in Kennington and Dave in Wood Farm – but I have not been able to find out exactly where.

I knew them in the 1950s and ‘60s when we all lived in Donnington.

My brother George plans to produce a book of his poetry and wants to ask permission to use the name of their late brother in one of the poems. Please contact me.

Mick Major, 37 Rivermead Road, Rose Hill, Oxford Tel: 01865 770561