NO doubt many will feel a great sadness at the recent death of Alfred Thompson Denning, Lord Denning, aged 100, England's finest and most considerate judge - a legendary judge indeed, who became involved in the Battle of Birtenshaw Common, which so very many people countrywide thought shouldn't have been preposterously built on.

Lord Denning believed the Common should have remained in its natural state, and so did millions of people!

Some people believe it is right to take an opportunity which benefits them financially whatever the cost to others.

Many rightly questioned the legality of building on Birtenshaw Common. Many presumed that the fight to save Birtenshaw would have been won. Can it ever be right to take away a juicy slice of Northern countryside?

Opportunity overcame Birtenshaw's undoubted pride. Lancashire lost out for sure.

Kenneth Lucas

Park Road, Hindley

Wigan

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.