Sir.–On Tuesday, December 8, at Central Studio, the guest of honour at a special performance of a new play about William Cobbett, will be Rosemary Wisbey, of Farnham, who wrote the play. We hope to give her a five-star Basingstoke welcome!

She will be surrounded by her family and some of her friends, and the principal of Queen Mary’s College Mr Stephen Sheedy will welcome her, Basingstoke and Deane’s deputy mayor Councillor Phil Heath, the Mayor of Waverley Borough Council, Councillor Pat Frost, the Mayor of Farnham, Councillor Lucinda Fleming, and other distinguished guests.

The young man playing William Cobbett is an A-level chemistry/physics student and he will be joined by 18 students from across the college and a folk band. The play will be directed by the highly-regarded Anne Higgins.

I was reminded recently that when William Cobbett was buried in St Andrew’s Church in Farnham, 10,000 people turned up and the population of Farnham was 3,000 at the time! How remarkable is that? If only present-day members of Parliament were that popular, where would we be?

Three MPs were invited to Papa Porcupine but it seems they were all needed in Westminster.

Everyone else is invited, of course, and there are three performances – so ring the box office on 01256 418318 if you are interested in what, I am sure, will be a memorable occasion.

–Hannah Williams, Crossborough Hill, Basingstoke.