For clarity, perhaps Candidus II should practise what the column preaches and keep to the “dot”. In this case playing and cycling on the Mosta church parvis, rather than prevaricate around the shrubbery citing erroneous side issues, such as arriving at school sweating or being unable to study. I took exception to the fact that the latter statement underscores a common misconception that could deter the use of bicycles to commute as inferred by the commentator.

I did actually suggest in my original letter that if these young people needed help or “guidance in modifying an anti-social behaviour, perhaps the best way is to lead by example and build a relationship with them based upon mutual trust and respect”, so I’m not sure why Candidus II is having a hissy-fit.

If I am guilty of anything I admit I have great faith in Maltese youth. If they are playing on the parvis then it says much about the lack of open safe space in Mosta. Simply whinging about wheelies being performed on the parvis will get the problem moved, but that’s the problem: it will just move elsewhere.

Quite possibly onto the road, where wheelies would actually and very possibly be both a problen and fatal. It seems apt to cite Jesus’s own words “suffer little children” but he didn’t mean make them suffer, either by playing in traffic or by becoming obese through lack of physical activity! I wonder what he’d say? I’m not advocating the parvis becomes an adventure park but it should fulfil a social and Christian need. Dare I use the word creative? Let’s not forget that only one per cent of our social space is designated as somewhere where physical activity takes place. So perhaps those same “children” (my apologies to any young people) who can’t vote and do not have a social voice are smarter than Candidus II? Perhaps they are trying to tell Mosta local council “hey you really need a proper skate/BMX park here like Tal-Qroqq!” or a social space for us to do what we do, that’s safe to do it in.