SO IT would seem local politicians [Kendal Town Council] will have to stand on their own two feet, as their chairs have been removed during the summer recess (Gazette, September 12, '19th century sale').

Decision-making is often quicker when made standing; not necessarily any better, or logical.

There will be no signing, sealing or rubber-stamping of decisions on the oak tables with their Kendal Green leather writing surface; they also await their fate in the silent graveyard corridor.

The town motto is as vibrant on the chair back as the day of installation. The chair seat is moulded to the rear guard; another less polite term could be used but that should be reserved for those who have decided on the disposal strategy. It would seem ‘Wood’ rather than ‘Wool is our Bread’.

It might have been more appropriate to donate the chairs to local churches or organisations and keep them in the town. Or maybe, if they must be sold, then sell off in the town, to townspeople; instead they are up for auction. It would seem a silent auction tactic has been deployed and the action swept under the tatty Brexit carpet.

As silent as the disposal may be, I hope the town's people have much to comment on.

It seems the area is hell-bent on getting get rid of wood, either living or crafted.

Kendal, look to yourself: your boundary walls are bulging. New houses have taken away our archery fields, our pastures old and new. Our tenterhooks are losing grip, the last vestiges of Westmorland are edging further away and our heritage is wiped off the face of the town like a plastic surgeon's knife.

Kendal, you may be old and grey, but you are our heritage and you are changing out of all recognition.

Mr and Mrs Bindloss will be turning in their graves.

Janice Owen

Arnside

Editor's note: the Gazette contacted Kendal Town Council and here is its response:

"Kendal Town Council is hoping to find new owners to care for and look after meeting-room furniture that has been in storage for the last three years.

"The sale is necessary because of the high cost to refurbish it so it can be used; lack of facilities to store it; and the fact the room that is now hired for town council meetings is already furnished. Town council meetings are held in a meeting chamber owned and used by South Lakeland District Council for its meetings.

"The furniture, which can’t be donated because of its condition, is being sold at auction on October 8 because the council has a duty to achieve the best price possible. The council is using local auctioneers 1818, who were based in Kendal for many years until they moved to new premises at the J36 Auction Mart.

"We have released a media release, put information on websites and are in the process of informing as many local organisations as possible. We expect many of the purchasers to be local.

"The town council will keep a desk, chair and carver chair for display and to make available for exhibitions.

"The net proceeds from the sale will be ring-fenced for our arts and heritage reserve which supports conservation and restoration projects connected with the large number of heritage items we hold on behalf of the town."