THE scene last Saturday in Victoria Square was simply wonderful.

The sun was shedding its heat. The skies were the fabulous blue of the Mediterranean. It seemed as though the whole populace was out that afternoon, all sunning themselves on the stone steps of our Town Hall -- me included.

Every vacant space on our new marbled benches was taken, and the trees offered little in the way of shade.

To me, it could have been the Piasastra la Roma and its marvellous sculptured fountains, where little boys trailed their hands through the pools and proffered coins for luck.

But the difference between their youngsters and ours. There were no coins thrown, only handfuls of sandy conglomerate taken from the base path of the fountains' surrounds -- with their doting parents unconcerned.

After all, they were only boys enjoying themselves!

In Rome, there are no fountains fenced off. The barrier was put into place by Bolton Council to prevent and deter any sort of act that puts the fountains out of action.

The fountains are a special delight to all on a hot afternoon. It's a sad day when there are citizens who couldn't care less.

One particular thing which struck me at the time was that nobody came forward to stop this couple of small boys, clambering over the metal barrier.

But then, on the other hand, this council has a policy of keeping things cool and not reacting against its citizens.

A sad departure from days gone by when notices like 'Keep off the grass' were enforced by park keepers. Today, anything goes.

Edward G Hill

Wemsley grove

Tonge Moor

Bolton