Dear Sir,

Honest John is the man who used to hold a stall, in all weathers, in the Town Centre but since the market closed moved initially to the Cubby then to DISC Furniture Showrooms near the Blue Bridge. Over 10 years he has raised over £150,000 all of which has been distributed to Groups Organisations etc in Great Aycliffe, all receipted and accounted for, a fantastic achievement.    That is John Hilton,   “Honest John” a person I am proud to call friend, and not just because he smokes a pipe like me.

Another John who attacked him in Newton News last week might do well to reflect on the following: Honest John: Never tried to oppose the return of the Fireworks Display.  He doesn’t own two houses, nor two cars  and is definitely not registered to vote at both Newton Aycliffe and Whitby (legal for local elections but illegal for General Elections. (£5000 fine if you do)  He was never a card carrying member of the conservative party. Honest John, never voted to sack teaching assistants. I like Honest John, he IS honest and has done a lot of good for the people of this town – A true friend indeed.

Cllr Arun Chandran Independent, West Ward