It's not cricket but it is important: it's 72 years since England last beat Australia in a Lords test and 22 years since the voters of Stoke Climsland actually voted for a parish councillor.

Let's hope that England go on to win the Ashes and the voters of Stoke Climsland turn out in large numbers to demonstrate their interest in the democratic process and the importance of the parish council.

Voting on Thursday, August 6, will produce the first two councillors elected this century.

JOHN BROWN

(via email)