About a year ago, I wrote to your newspaper to describe an incident which occurred on the terrace of the Swiss Cottage Community Cafe. At that time, I was sitting at one of the tables talking to a 90-year old gentleman about nothing in particular when ou

About a year ago, I wrote to your newspaper to describe an incident which occurred on the terrace of the Swiss Cottage Community Cafe.

At that time, I was sitting at one of the tables talking to a 90-year old gentleman about nothing in particular when our conversation was abruptly interrupted by the whack of a football from the neighbouring pitch as it bounced off the wall above us and landed on the floor.

Had the football been aimed a couple of feet lower, this would have had very serious (if not fatal) consequences.

A similar incident happened a few weeks ago at a children's party when a child was struck but, fortunately, not injured.

I believe that the defensive barrier between the pitch and the terrace is not high enough to prevent incidents of this sort from happening in the future.

Nobody should discourage the use of the football pitch, and that is not what I am suggesting. I have contacted Camden Council on this matter, but they seem to think that the environment cannot reasonably be made any safer.

Perhaps they are right. Accidents will happen and we can't expect to life in a world of cotton-wool.

I wonder, however, if any of your readers have similar experiences or can make other suggestions.

Magnus Nielsen

Fairfax Mansions,

Finchley Road, NW3