IT is with utter astonishment that I see travellers have once again descended on King's Park.

Their presence means that the recently revived parkrun, due to take place on Saturday morning, has been cancelled for the second time in a month.

Besides the obvious question of how they were able to pitch up so soon after their last incursion, I am left wondering why their needs seem to take precedence over the 500 or so runners, whose plans have now been disrupted? Don’t get me wrong, the organisers had no choice but to cancel the event in the interests of safety.

However, the parkrun community is like a big family and the event couldn’t go ahead without the time and effort put in by the volunteers who co-ordinate things behind the scenes and those who turn up on the day to keep the runners safe.

This Saturday was meant to be the event’s birthday run and was keenly awaited. A visually impaired runner was travelling from outside the area especially for the event: A local runner had volunteered to be her guide.

It is absolutely right that no one should feel discriminated against for matters out of their control. However, if you make choices that impact negatively on other people, I find it hard to be empathetic to your needs, above anyone else’s. The time and effort put in by so many to help others has been wasted, thanks to what seems to be the selfish behaviour of a few.

Yet again, those exercising their rights refuse to acknowledge their responsibilities as part of a balanced society.

MRS D K DOWSETT

Capstone Road, Bournemouth