Adam Trimingham's article Christmas Present (The Argus, December 21) is a very jaundiced view of life in the Forties and Fifties.

Maybe it was like that in the part of England where he lived.

In Hove, however, the period is remembered as one of light and open air and safety. You could cycle to the Devil's Dyke and take walks there in safety. I remember riding to Fittleworth to collect wild daffodils, returning with them tied to my handlebars. There were also frequent visits to the beach, starting at Easter, for swimming.

We had wonderful school meals where seconds were available at both Portland Road Junior and Hove Grammar Schools.

In these schools, we were set up for life in a world which political correctness had not invaded but where commonsense prevailed and where community meant local community.

Who remembers the great firework displays organised by Hove Borough Council on Hove Lawns?

Who remembers the many theatres which presented an array of talent no longer present? We had school visits to see the Royal Ballet and the Carl Rosa Opera at the Hippodrome. Who remembers the cinemas such as the Regent and the Essoldo which were spacious places to enjoy films, unlike the modern shoe boxes?

Christmas was a time when neighbours got together for a friendly open-house and people joined each other around the piano to sing carols and music hall songs of past years.

We did not have much but the wonder of a religious Christmas as opposed to the materialistic festival of today brought joy to many.

Law and order, both in schools and in public, were the order of the day. Respect for other people, particularly the old and sick, was taken for granted.

I would agree people's welfare generally has improved since the Fifties, especially within medicine but many things have declined, especially the moral attitudes of people.

Yes, we had hanging for certain crimes although this has been done away with. However, we did not have mass abortion on demand.

Ask anybody who went to the Regent Ballroom if they thought the Forties and Fifties were monochrome. There were great pantomimes on Boxing Day, not before Christmas as now.

Life was great and colourful and I am only sorry my own children did not have the chance to live in a time of adventure and safety and order and commonsense.

-Councillor Brian Coomber, Adur District Council, Buckingham Road, Shoreham