MADAM, in response to the KEEP TRADE LOCAL feature in the Ross Gazette (4/3/09) I find it difficult to understand how Ross Town Council can truly support this campaign when the booklet it is currently producing, the Official Town Guide, has in fact originated from an approach made by Media

Wales, publishers of the Western Mail in Cardiff. Obviously the Town Council's support for local businesses does not seem to extend to media companies in and around Ross. When the Council was approached by Media Wales perhaps it should have responded with an approach to locally based companies to match the offer made by Media Wales. Ironically I, operating my advertising and design business in Ross for the past 20 years, was contacted by Media Wales acting on behalf of Ross Town Council to support the publication by taking advertising space. I am in full support of a Town Guide but find it difficult to come to terms with producing revenue for a company in Cardiff when I believe that local marketing and printing companies should have at least been given the opportunity to produce what is probably the most important item of marketing material for the town.

Regrettably I understand our new Official Town Guide will have the Welsh Dragon logo of Media Wales on its front cover to act as a constant reminder that Ross Town Council felt the need to go to Cardiff for its production.

I have tried in vain on several occasions to get a satisfactory response from Herefordshire Council, copying my concerns to Ross Town Council but

have been faced with delay, no response at all from Ross Town Council and ultimately no response from the Leader of Herefordshire Council, Councillor

Roger Phillips. In his recent article in Herefordshire Matters he urges Herefordians to 'show loyalty to our county businesses,' I can only view these as empty words.Haydn Dix, Ross