Such a short letter, so much misconception (‘Is festival necessary?’ Opinion, May 4).

Essentially Mr Carlton’s point is that Enfield’s planned cultural festival is an extravagant waste of money, less important than social services and libraries.

What he misses is that community is at the heart of congenial and supportive urban living, and that many things contribute to creating a harmonious neighbourhood that enhances everyone’s lives.

The urban good life begins with the street, how it is designed and looks, preferably how many trees and what other greenery there is, whether it’s kept well maintained and clean, whether there are jobs and services nearby, whether traffic speed dominates lives, limiting local social contact and the independence of local kids. But it also depends on whether there are activities available which give people the opportunity for social interaction and shared enjoyment.

Cultural experience is part of that; not many of us would like to live in an area where social services cares for granny’s every need, but there’s nothing to stimulate the mind and lift the spirits.

These things are a balance, and in any case strong communities, where neighbour knows neighbour and the two of them have a shared investment in local life, tend to provide support for the elderly. Social services can be cheaper in these circumstances.

Interesting that Mr Carlton puts libraries and social services in the same bracket. I’d say libraries are part of cultural life and education and equate them with the festival while putting social services and the NHS together. Still, it shows that some aspects of culture are important to him.

David Hughes
Conway Road, London, N14