ON Friday, September 15, which was Battle of Britain Day, we were in Northwich doing a collection for the Royal Air Forces Association.

We had a licence issued by Chester and Cheshire West Council to say we could hold a street collection in Northwich on the Friday and Saturday.

Some of our collectors set their table up in front of Marks and Spencer in Leicester Street as we have done in years gone past.

They were approached by a security guard who told them that Marks and Spencer had put in a complaint and they had to move as the area was now controlled by Barons Quay security.

So our collectors moved further down Leicester Street.

However, within a few minutes the duty manager from Marks and Spencer came to see them.

She apologised to our collectors and said that Marks and Spencer had made no official complaint and they were welcome to collect in front of the store.

As one of our collectors was disabled it made moving again a bit of a problem as she didn’t have her wheelchair, so they decided to stop where they were.

But the offer was taken up on the Saturday when we were assisted doing our collections by members of the 146 Squadron Air Cadets.

The band of the air cadets formed up in front of Marks and Spencer on the steps opposite the store.

Quite a large crowd had gathered to watch the band play.

However, after the band started, the commanding officer was approached by the same security guard from the previous day and was told that the cadets had to move on.

Terry Gamble Royal Air Forces Association Northwich branch