Sir, Most of us who read the Herald are privileged to live in one of the most scenic areas of Britain. It therefore comes as a shock when some of our precious landscape is damaged. It is more shocking when this damage is happening in an area designated nationally as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Sir, So we are back with the Sainsbury’s thing again. And what is more we are now going to have a Booths, too, albeit in a different venue. Kudos to Booths. It can see what a poisoned chalice New Squares has become.

Sir, I was really quite disappointed to read (Herald, 28th August) the comments about Voreda House.

Sir, For the past three years or more I have been a volunteer at the Hospice at Home shop in Little Dockray, Penrith. As I am disabled and have a blue badge, I park opposite the shop from 1pm to 4pm every Thursday.

Sir, While we all congratulate Booths for its patience and tenacity in finally securing a foothold in Penrith (Herald, 21st August), even though it might not be the location either the firm or we prefer, we might cheer even louder if by so doing it has unintentionally derailed New Squares.

Sir, It has been brought to my attention that developer Persimmon is threatening to take its planning application for 55 homes on Carleton Fields, Penrith, to appeal if access via Oak Road, The Parklands and Carleton Meadows is refused on the grounds of highway safety.

Sir, Appleby Primary School is preparing for its centenary celebrations that will take place in the autumn term.

Sir, Brian Nicholls’s latest rant, this time regarding the Last Night of the Proms (Herald, 14th August), appears to show that he misses the point entirely.

Sir, It would seem that Penrith has come into money; £94,000 to be exact, as a result of a tax windfall. This a good opportunity to put some life into the town.

Sir, I am astounded at the penalties that magistrates impose on those unfortunate people who have broken the law