I WAS recently honoured in being invited to participate with the Bishop of Gloucester and local religious leaders as chairman of Stroud District Council to Rodborough Tabernacle.

It was a commemoration service against the many atrocities that ethnic and religious and minority groups have suffered in the last 80 years and more.

The church was packed and the service was moving.

Yet we find ourselves witnessing a rise in intolerance and discriminatory behaviour against minority groups and especially Muslim people in this country recently, also in the USA.

I know that the overwhelming majority of the people of our District - ordinary decent people – will want me to state on their behalf that this is abhorrent.

I hope that through the pages of your newspaper you will permit me to say on all our behalves that we cherish our diversity and freedoms for all.

Norman Kay Chair,

Stroud District Council