Dear Editor,

I was disappointed to read Mr McAllistaire’s diatribe criticising Midsomer Norton and respond directly to him as follows.

Where you saw weeds, I see waterside flowers carefully planted and regularly maintained. Where you saw a trickle of water in a ditch, I see a gentle meander of water still flowing after weeks of dry weather.

Where you saw plenty of detritus, I see the evidence of the now widespread refusal by some to use any of the plentiful riverside bins, behaviour that is by no means confined to Midsomer Norton.

When it is cleared, the rubbish reappears almost immediately.

What I saw before was a concrete drainage channel, lacking in character and any incentive for wildlife.

As for one gentleman stating that "everyone hated it", one person's view cannot be taken as completely representative of an entire town's opinion.

I have spoken to visitors who come here specifically for the High Street vibe, including the river. I know that the current version of the river is not to everyone's taste, but it's not the only aspect of the town available to residents and visitors alike.

If you had ventured further than the 'former cinema' - which is in fact a very busy establishment that brings many to the town, you might have noticed the wide variety of shops, many of them independent.

You make no mention of passing the the large and vibrant mural of a carefully thought out kingfisher flanking the entrance to Wetherspoons or of visiting the multiple shops, post office, friendship garden, crazy golf, amphitheatre, sports centre, heritage railway or The Hollies garden itself which is well used in its various guises.

It's almost as though you got off the bus, put blinkers on and walked less than 50 metres from where you alighted and then got back on one of the plentiful buses that stop in the High Street.

25 mins to visit, judge and and leave does not allow for a fair impression of anywhere.

Sharon Adams via email

Dear Editor,

I will vote for Reform and am a supporter of Nigel Farage. I have no confidence in Sir Keir Starmer - a self proclaimed socialist and his Neo-Marxist cohorts.

Neither do I trust the Conservatives who have shown themselves to be inept 'wordsmiths' who disguise their failings using jargon to disguise their lack of positive action.

The illiberal liberals are a joke - Sir Ed Davey's gesture politics about Israel, why does he not question how Hamas managed to fund a network of tunnels larger than the London Underground system or why its fighters dress in civilian clothes and use hospitals and schools as command centres?

Illegal immigrants. Fleeing persecution from 'war torn France'. Well if I arrived back in the UK from holiday without my passport I would be detained by immigration officials. If I arrive by small boat with 'persecuted immigrants' I would be put into a hotel - fed and cosseted, and could probably look into the street and observe veterans and other indigenous Brits living rough on the streets.

Because, according to this government - immigrants have priority over its own citizens.

Entering this country without permission is an offence. They should be deported. Leave the ECHR - so what! England has had a Bill of Rights since 1689 and its guiding principles are used by most of the countries in the Commonwealth and the USA. Leaving would not affect the Good Friday agreement.

Socialism - defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary: A system of social organisation in which private property and distribution of incomes are subject to state control.

This government's budget and fiscal direction of travel indicates this is their long term aim.

Ernie Blaber

Westfield

Dear Editor,

I note your headline story in last week’s journal regarding the planning application submitted by the Silverwood Partnership to build 115 new houses on the field next to Grovewood Road in Haydon.

First, I’d like to clarify that Haydon is not a village, it is a hamlet. With approximately 153 dwellings currently, the addition of 115 new homes would nearly double the size of the area. This is a significant change for a small community.

It is disappointing that the developers did not reach out to local councillors prior to submitting their application. Neither I, as ward councillor for Bath and North East Somerset and for Haydon at Radstock Town Council, nor Cllr Simon De Beer, who also serves on Radstock Town Council, were contacted or consulted.

In response, we have organised a public meeting for Haydon residents to discuss the proposed development. This will take place at the Haydon Cue Club on Tuesday, September 16, at 7pm.

If residents have any questions ahead of the meeting, please feel free to contact either Simon or myself.

We look forward to hearing your views.

Cllr Lesley Mansell

Radstock ward - Bath and North East Somerset Council

Radstock Haydon ward - Radstock Town Council

Dear Editor,

On Monday, September 15, the nation will commemorate the 85th Anniversary of Battle of Britain Day, when the remarkable generation that became known as ‘the Few’ fought and won against incredible odds in the skies over southern Britain.

Eighty-five years on, the RAF Benevolent Fund continues to stand alongside the Royal Air Force. From the first day in uniform, throughout service, the transition to civilian life, and into retirement, we are with the RAF Family every step of the way.

Today we answer thousands of calls for help – supporting individuals and families in financial hardship, veterans facing loneliness and isolation, carers in need of respite, and those struggling with mental health.

As we commemorate and remember the courage and sacrifice of all those who played such a vital role in the Battle of Britain, we recognise that the Royal Air Force of today continues to protect the skies above the UK. As they do, the RAF Benevolent Fund, like it did in 1940, stands with the RAF ready to provide meaningful, lasting, and tailored support to those who serve, those who have served, and their families.

Yours sincerely,

Air Commodore Simon Harper OBE MA FCIPD

Director Operations, RAF Benevolent Fund