IN reply to James Marshall's letter (The 'Post,' April 16) 'Just Stop Moaning,' may I say that I do not have a problem with the artwork by the canal. They have achieved their objective: to provoke discussion.

My problem with his letter is that he seems to want to ban free speech. There are already too many instances at parish, town, (ex) county and national level where both elected and non-elected people and organisations want to change our lives without debate or discussion. At regular intervals over the years, those charged with carrying out their duties have overstepped the mark and caused injury, torture and even death of innocent people.

I still want to retain the rights that our predecessors fought and died for. That is for you and me to say what we think, even if on occasions you are wrong! So please, James, let me keep moaning.

Finally, I hope that those who are elected to govern us in the future and want to travel on our wonderful canal remember to hire a boat rather than use the gravy boat that seems to be the standard equipment currently supplied.