The strange, sad slaughter of a fellow County Councillor in Cheltenham early this month makes one think hard about the recent trend towards cruel and often motiveless murders.

It is not reassuring "to one's family to know that we are often out on streets and lonely county roads and are vulnerable to aggressive and uncontrolled men (mostly) who think little of their violent actions until it is too late.

Cllr Andrew Pennington died protecting Nigel Jones at the M.P's "surgery". He deserves the ancient accolade that "there is no greater love than laying down one's life for a friend". As for the murderer, what possible explanation can he put forward to justify carrying a weapon to an unprotected office and stabbing someone whose very. function is to help his 'fellow men and women?

I have often wondered whether to have a "surgery" within my ward, but after trials some years ago decided against. The reason was simple-: insufficient people attended to make it a good way of using scarce time.

Also, I have realised over the years that people wishing to support, complain, enquire or lobby for-a cause want to do it then, not 2 weeks later at a surgery in another place. So I work on the basis that I am always available at any time at home, on the 'phone or increasingly on e-mail. If I am around you will always be welcome (try to avoid 6.30-7 pm), I depend on you to use your judgment as to whether it is important enough to contact me after 9 pm or on Sundays. If you think it is important and urgent, then you'll get a considered reply.

Should you need me to call on you, 'phone and fix a suitable time.

Over the years I have suffered very little inconvenience or harassment. The worst case was some fool who rang me every half hour between 4 and Sam without saying who it was. The funniest case was the man who thought I could stop a neighbour's ghetto blaster at lam on a Sunday when he lived 5 miles away in another village. These occasions are very rare. I'm glad I represent people who are generally considerate and understand that my fellow councillors and I are entitled to a private life and time off in return for being always at hand in time of need. .