SIR: It has just been announced that both the Winchester and Southampton Christmas ice rinks have been scrapped yet again (Chronicle, November 4).

What a disappointment for the tens of thousands of skaters that have enjoyed many hours on the ice, albeit for only a few weeks over the Christmas period.

If we had a permanent ice rink on the south coast these thousands of people could skate for 52 weeks of the year and not be reliant on hoping that some organisation can come up with the site, finances and resources needed to install a temporary ice rink over the festive period.

Perhaps when the University of Southampton develop their proposals for the River Park site they could seriously consider including a permanent ice rink in their plans.

Edna Boden,

Winchester Ice Sports Association,

Greenhill Road,

Fulflood,

Winchester