I read with great interest the article in last week's Packet with regard to the fate of Marlborough House in Silverdale Road.

Being Cornish and local I recall the avenue was then in my day and referred to as 'Bull's Avenue'. This was named after Captain John Bull, a Packet Ship captain from Falmouth who had the house built in 1810. He named the house after his Packet ship The Duke of Marlborough.

When my late husband was a county councillor in 1982, two gentlemen who had the property at that time put in an application to the council to be allowed to build two 'chalet-type' buildings at the back of the house.

My husband and I visited the house, and I was very much smitten by the magnificent staircase - stunning.

I do believe their request was granted.

I do hope something will be resolved as Marlborough House is unique to Falmouth and special in the memories of a lot of locals.

I would also mention that some years ago I used to fill in to allow the staff of my late uncle, Harcourt Williams, whose shop was, and still is, next to Tesco, to take time off I recall, at that time, serving a very charming man, Peter Bull, who was a relative of the Packet ship captain. Peter was, at that time, an actor.

Pauline O'Brien,
Laburnum Close,
Falmouth