Sir, Don't rip the beating heart out of our new county wildlife site. Near Abingdon lies a secretive lake where nature thrives. On foot from the leisure centre, eastward on the Sustrans path, you will reach the gates to heaven or hell in ten minutes.

As in old fairy tales you have a choice at the crossroads. Round the gate on your right and you will find the ashen fields or death. Enter through the broken gate on your left and you will find a treasure!

Follow the calls of the water-birds and the silvery reflection of the lake will reveal itself. In early summer let yourself be enveloped by the fragrance from the balsam poplar.

Be quiet and you will glimpse a kingfisher or be startled by a heron skimming the tree-tops on its fishing foray. A week ago the bushes were dotted with butterflies, matching the birds in flocks on the reflecting water.

I found a well-hidden patch of red water-lilies over which bright blue dragonflies hovered. Mesmerizing! Nature asks very little of us; caring, patience and curiosity, but it gives so much back; beauty, inspiration and food for the soul!

RWE's recent application for an ash reburn plant to be built at Didcot A could save Thrupp Lake! The technology is there - is the will?

Do the shareholders of RWE know what sacrifice we are asked to make for their profit? Maybe not; a crime like this would not be allowed in Germany!

Gunilla Harbour, Abingdon