How upset I was to learn from your newspaper this week that Bill Montgomery has retired. His excellent Notebook has long been a 'must read' for me, an informative and important column, with an imaginative touch of humour.

Of course I am happy for him, as I am sure he is looking forward to a well-earned retirement. I am just upset for me, for your other dedicated readers and, of course, for the citizens of Barnet, though some may not know what they are losing.

I have always felt safe in the fact that Bill was there, should we need him, to expose injustice, stand up for fair play and ensure that we council tax payers knew what was going on and what was being done in our name.

I loved Councillor Lamb who brought humour and insight into subjects that others might find dry or unimportant. I sincerely hope that someone on the paper will carry on Bill's work. The need for intelligent investigative journalism, even in Barnet, will still be there, perhaps now more than ever.

I am sure that I speak for many readers when I thank Bill for all the good work he has done over the years, for informing us and entertaining us. We will miss him.

We wish Bill a long, happy and healthy retirement.

Mrs M J Grant

Coniston Close, Whetstone