I refer to your article about Shipton-on-Cherwell quarry (Oxford Mail, October 24).

As a resident of Shipton since 1945, I saw the quarry producing stone for the manufacture of cement.

At that time, the whole quarry was a very tidy place, a trifle dusty perhaps, but generally quite smart.

During the latter years, it had its own angling club, which fished the two lakes in the quarry and a stretch of the Oxford Canal.

When the works closed, the club continued, but was renamed Shipton-on-Cherwell Angling Club.

The quarry was a delightful place to go fishing - there was an abundance of unusual plants, including orchids and other wild flowers, many rare birds and probably the finest tench fishing in the country. The deterioration of the quarry and the works began when Blue Circle sold the site. It went downhill from there.

We were stopped from fishing. Apparently, it was an unsafe area.

It was sold probably twice after that and, of course, little by little, it became the eyesore you describe now.

Had it been left alone, it would still have been an attractive place for everyone to enjoy.

K BRANCH Railway Cottages Shipton-on-Cherwell