I have lived at Wood Farm in Oxford for 50 years and have always found people friendly and helpful, and the families mix with each other.

It was then known as the best estate in Oxford, but not now.

When we first moved in, my house was next to an open field. After plans for an elderly people's home came to nothing, a school was built with a playing field laid out for all to enjoy sports. That is gone.

A swimming pool was built and residents gave money towards its being built, but that has also gone.

Mr Sinnot and I started a boys' football team which became popular and the Wood Farm Boys wanted to join the Oxfordshire league, but when the field was inspected, they told us it was not big enough.

I asked the council if they could supply me with a youth club, but no youth club could be built within a five-mile radius of the one existing at Peat Moors, opposite Wood Farm.

I had discussions with the council and argued that I would not allow boys to cross the road between Wood Farm and Peat Moors and so the youth club was built.

Somehow, it was taken over and became Wood Farm Community Centre which it was never intended to be.

Later, we founded Wood Farm cycle speedway team. I made friends with Tuckwell's, the builders merchants, so that we could have ashes for the track. Wood Farm was a successful team.

Then city councillor Dora Carr explained that the council was taking away our cycle speedway site to build a nine-storey block of flats. She said I could build another speedway track in any part of the wood. So another part of Wood Farm was taken away.

So what do the youth of today have? I leave it to you. Whom do I blame for our bad name? The council, for dismantling the facilities for young people on our estate. VINCENT BOULTER, Wood Farm