I’m an ex-serviceman who has been a mature student, a lecturer at Southampton Technical College and seen the changes from the old workhouse to technical college to City College, and the split to institute to Solent University.

All the changes in Derby Road, in Royal Crescent, from the Docks Labour Board to the present container system in shipping.

With the society that existed in the 1960s. My visits to Derby Road to purchase Indian food supplies.

Keeping a boat in Shamrock Quay and living in the New Forest remembering the anti-Gypsy attitude of the 50s and 60s. Having been a blacksmith for a time.

I am heartened by some of the people of Derby Road but wonder at the attitude of journalists from Channel 4.

It would seem that every sensible argument put over by local councillors was shouted down. Were these local people or incoming troublemakers?

I would suggest as an immigrant of long standing myself, having come from stock who joined George III’s King’s German Legion at Waterloo, spent my youth in London, married a lady escaping South African apartheid, that some of the locals got some facts wrong.

I would ask why we cannot though television/radio news media, which after all was the original vision to educate and entertain.

You may be able to connect with Channel 4. I felt sorry for the film maker but he chose the wrong word ‘immigration’.

It is confrontational. can we not find a better word?

My personal history produced 35,000 Hanoverian and 50,000 French and Spanish people in London in 1816-1830s.

People produce a wonderful ethnic group of culture and diversity which Southampton generally promotes.

Why do we need Channel 4?

Surely journalists can get together and agree what is good and bad.

Channel 4 got it wrong!

Bryan Trimmer.