TWENTY FOUR years have passed since I decided to make my life here in the United States and it was a decision I have not regretted.

In the meantime has Bury lost its true identity by being part of the big Greater Manchester picture? It certainly seems that way with local government integration and the local Bury accent becoming "Mancunianised".

Following the local news over the years I have noticed more hate crimes, more violence and a general disregard for freedom in such a beautiful little town.

Is it a sign of the times, a term incidentally, that I have never really understood, or has such behaviour always been with us and just been overlooked?

DAZ CONROY,

Texarkana, Texas.