IT turned out quite nice about noon and, with the sun softly shining, snowdrops already out and the first daffodils in flower, I felt that frolicking in the fields was in order.

So, as a newcomer to the area of some five years standing, I set off from home in Westcott to Cullompton to find the fields where, I'm lead to believe, all the good folk gather.

I parked in Fore Street, in front of the Chinese restaurant, crossed the road and strode down Higher Mill Lane, across the leat and turned right and then left into the Cullompton Community Association fields. But, to my dismay, there was no frolicking going on this fine day, when people were free to be out and about, refreshing themselves for the week's labours ahead.

I'll press on, I thought, perhaps I'll find them further down. So I walked on down towards the railway boundary, with some difficulty because in places the ground was two to three inches deep in water and otherwise absolutely sodden.

I eventually reached the bottom of the field and went round behind a sort of embankment and there was still no-one to be seen. This is the path that the much-hated Cullompton town bypass would travel — the route that the town is up in arms about, with petitions nearly getting to Gordon Brown and the Queen. Gosh, I thought.

I walked through mud and water and found my way to two football pitches, ready for use with goalposts and nets, but completely unusable as it was difficult to even walk on them in their waterlogged condition.

I carried on, because the weather was still very pleasant, and I was then confronted with a hedge and a locked gate, behind which was another better kept football pitch, that of Cullompton Town FC.

I walked along the well made path behind the football ground and, coming left, round the corner to the access road to the football, cricket and bowling club, stopped to ponder what could happen here if that wicked Mid Devon District Council compulsorily purchased this lower, completely unused and most likely unusable, strip of ground and forced a much-needed bypass road through. If money did change hands, or cash from some European Union benefactor fund found, it could be useful.

Perhaps the football pitch could stay as it is, and the old buildings that house the football clubhouse, cricket and bowling pavilions could be replaced with a new building on the western side of the football ground, with the cricket pitch and bowling green relocated into a properly drained area, part of which is used for the children's play area, which looks to be very nicely equipped but had no children or parents in evidence this morning.

The children's area could be moved further north up behind the town, where there is much easier access from Middle and Higher Mill lanes.

So what's the problem, CCA and associated protest groups? The motor car and heavy transport are here to stay, so let's try to get some money to improve what I agree is in an attribute to the town — and get a bypass.

As a matter of interest, will people please write in to say how often during 2009 they used those lower parts of the fields?

Having enjoyed my walk, I ended up back in Fore Street, via Middle Lane.

It did then cross my mind that, if the people of Cullompton are now so well behaved that they don't need a magistrates' court, they could be rewarded by it being flattened and the whole site being used to make a nice two-hour waiting car park at the south end of the town and then, with a town bypass, Fore Street at least could be made pedestrian only.

PAUL VERNEY Westcott