LOCAL couple Ann and Anthony (Tony) Randall met when they were 15 in a group of friends, but started dating at a local fayre when they were 17 years old.

Getting married on March 31, 1956 (which was actually Tony's 18th birthday). They are very local to the area, with Tony growing up in Paulton and Ann growing up in the Hobbs Wall area of Farmborough.

Hobbs Wall is where they first lived before moving into the main village of Farmborough, over 60 years ago.

They have seven children, 11 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

They have lived through three Monarchs, 20 Prime Ministers and can still remember the planes flying over to bomb Bath and Bristol.

They have had varied careers, Ann working at the Frys factory in Keynsham, then raising the family. She returned in 1980 to work as caretaker of Farmborough Primary School where she took over from her mother Agnes Cleaves. Staying in this position until her retirement, where Dick King-Smith was a teacher and presented Ann with her gifts.

Tony started work at 14 years, as they did at that time. Firstly on a farm, where he learnt about animals, tractors etc. Then going down into the local mines, Old Mills and Pensford to name two. Working on the North Sea Gas pipeline, Purnells printing company, then staying in printing till his retirement.

The family had horses when the children were young, with three sheep, pigeons, Guinea pigs, rabbits and cats and dogs.

Sara the youngest says she describes her childhood memories a bit the the Waltons tv programme.

They celebrated with family and friends over their anniversary.

Ann said marriage is like a job, you have to work at it everyday! But understanding each other helps as well, as love can change over time.

Dear Editor,

I WAS angered by an accusation of "greedy" aimed at a group of young resident doctors on a picket line during the strike.

The response from one doctor was that their actions was about fair pay and to safeguard the future 'lifeblood' of the workforce, providing a pathway for young doctors to enter the profession.

I completely support their action since their pay has been eroded and they quite rightly are seeking to reverse a cumulative inflation-adjusted pay drop exceeding 20 per cent compared to 2008 levels, and their aim is to restore pay value by the 2027/28 pay round.

The government say they are providing the NHS with record funding, but the BMA's resident doctors committee's rash action is sapping the health service of vital funds.

This is outrageous hypocrisy in my view, and needs to be evaluated with regard to the value placed on honest doctors and nurses against staggering waste caused by political cronyism practices for years, that significantly started under the Tories that are now conveniently not being mentioned despite the on-going scandals.

The "Agenda for Change" introduced under the Cameron government lowered or stagnated pay for all healthcare workers to pay for the creation of jobs and wealth for the targeted few. This changed the successful functioning of the NHS into a refocused cash cow, providing jobs for the ‘boys’ and profit-driven privatisation practices that competed with established hospital services making the NHS poorer.

Journalists and watchdogs have uncovered numerous dubious and failed NHS contracts involving high risk procurement, 'VIP lanes' and significant taxpayer losses highlighting a 'wild west' procurement process, cronyism concerns and failed IT projects. Remember the Conservative mega-donor Frank Hester, healthcare tech entrepreneur, who profited by £135-million from NHS contracts. Also, the primary IT donor scandal involving the NHS revolving around the awarding of major data contracts to Palantir Technologies, a US data analytics firm co-founded by billionaire and major Donald Trump donor Peter Thiel.

Who can forget the COVID-19 pandemic PPE scandal whereby journalists identified a small company (Unispace) that received £350 million in contracts and another firm (Clandeboye) that secured large deals, with PPE due diligence carried out after the contract was awarded.

On reflection, is it right to call resident doctors 'greedy' when we should all get behind them to restore and maintain the right priorities and honest decision making for the NHS.

Delyth Morris

Peasedown St John

Dear Editor,

NEW housing development proposals for Chilcompton Road, first year review of parking charges in South Road car park- success or failure?

Maybe you’re concerned about new supermarket developments, interested in our high street, or want to understand more about police activities in Midsomer Norton, concerned about the Town Hall costs and delays - we’re here to discuss it all.

It’s your agenda! No topic is off the table. Come along and have your say on the issues that matter most to our community!

Welton Rovers, Monday, April 20, from 7pm to 9pm

The bar will be open!

Cllr Shaun Hughes

BANES councillor for Midsomer Norton North

Dear Editor,

LOCAL media sometimes can get a bad rap, however your recent issues proves its continued worth to people like me, at a time society can feel so disconnected.

Last week I was amazed to see a letter from my old mate Bobby ‘Dazzler’ Fraser. What a small world. I had some great times playing with him up front in the 70s the old Gloucestershire BDGC Sunday League for ‘Grimsby Frown’.

I had not connected for over 30 years since his short stint working in a school library, but after realising he was local I managed to reach out for an evening of Sambucca and cigarettes like the old days.

Bravo Journal. Local media shall never die.

Gerald Adams

Midsomer Norton

Dear Editor,

MAY I through the pages of your newspaper, thank very sincerely the group who meet fortnightly at Writhlington Village Hall.

They meet at 2pm on a Thursday afternoon for friendship over a cup of tea and then we sing all the old songs. The companionship is second to none and is much appreciated, the next session is on Thursday, April 23.

Once again a big thank you from me for there assistance.

Jean Auckland

Writhlington