Insulting to label me simply as council leader's wife

2:16pm Tuesday 21st March 2006

I was most flattered and amused to have had three replies to my letter (Incorrect to label Conservatives as being against football club's future', Letters, February 23) printed in your edition of March 2. However, I must take issue with two of the comments raised as false assumptions appear to have been made about me.

Firstly, for anyone to write that I am not a fan of Barnet Football Club is almost libellous. My first match was at the Fisher Ground when Barnet scored their way out of the Conference and into Division 4. After that, I was hooked. I may not attend every game, but I know when each one is on and I follow the score through my mobile phone link. I could bore readers with a catalogue of the games I have attended and describe the highs and the lows of being a Barnet supporter but I fear that the paper would find that essay too long to print.

I am surprised that Derek Rochel made facile remarks regarding my appearance in amber and black. Of course I have a Barnet shirt, and hat, and scarf. I will provide a photo of myself dressed in the same (plus Tory rosette) should he so wish.

The other point I wish to take issue with is more serious. I take great exception to being called the council leader's wife'. My name is Kate Salinger. As a woman and a Barnet resident since 1982, I am perfectly capable and entitled to have opinions on a wide variety of issues affecting the borough. Those which I have expressed through the good offices of this paper are my own. I resent being seen as a mere adjunct to my husband and being referred to in a manner that can only be viewed as chauvinistic in the extreme. If readers wish to take issue with my opinions, please do so, but at least grant me the courtesy of recognising them as my own.

Kate Salinger
The Ridgeway, Friern Barnet