Dear Editor,

Today, a very talented needlewoman, Liz Barge, was in St Chads waiting room selling her baby patchwork quilts and cushions in aid of the Friends.

This was an exceedingly kind gesture. If you are interested in looking at or purchasing these, direct message me and I will let you know when Liz will be visiting again.

Whilst Liz was with us, we took advantage and asked her to pull the numbers of the winners of the September 200 Club for us. Winners cheques are on the way to Midsomer Norton, Chilcompton and Stratton on the Fosse.

The Friends are now into Christmas Raffle Ticket mode, so if you have a flu jab booked, you should see us at Somerton House. Please come and say ‘hello’ and think about buying a ticket or two. We raise funds to purchase extra equipment for the Surgeries that the NHS does not currently provide. Since July, we have donated £4368 in extra kit. The patients that buy raffle tickets and sign up for the 200 Club did this. Thank you so very much for your support.

Jenny Evans, via email

Dear Editor,

I am ashamed to say I live in Westfield. The council seems to have no interest in the area whatsoever. The litter bins are usually full in particular the one by the Shakespeare Road play area, walking past this morning it is virtually overflowing with dog poo bags and it smells. The kerbside are now full of weeds as are the pavements.

We pay council tax but for sure it's not going towards the upkeep of this area. My guess is it's all for Bath.

Come on B&NES there are people living here too.

Diane Matravers

Westfield

Dear Editor,

I am researching the five players from Midsomer Norton Rugby Club that sadly died in World War Two. The club records list: Lieutenant Kenneth Cobb, Pilot Officer Donald Harvey, Radio Officer Michael Cahill, Sergeant David Cranston and Guardsman Jack Perry.

I have information on Messrs Cobb, Harvey, Cahill and Cranston but any additional information anyone may have would be greatly received.

I am struggling to trace Guardsman Jack Perry in the Commonwealth War Graves records and think that Jack may be a nickname for John or James. Would anyone have information that may enable me to trace and find out more about "Jack" Perry who played for MNRFC in the 1937/38 season.

Graeme King

via email

Dear Editor,

I am delighted that the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, has been appointed as the next Archbishop of Canterbury. This is wonderful news for the Church of England, and the wider Anglican Communion. As our country’s former Chief Nurse and as someone who has served as bishop of one of our largest and most complex dioceses, Sarah brings an abundance of leadership skills to the role which will be hugely important as we move forward together as a Church, as a country, and as part of a global society.

Having worked closely with Sarah in her role as lead Bishop for Health I have experienced at first hand Sarah’s ability, wisdom and empathy. Sarah’s nomination also marks a wonderful milestone for our Church. In England, our journey has taken us from the ordination of women as priests in 1994 to the consecration of our first woman bishop in 2015. Now the first woman will serve as Archbishop of Canterbury and her appointment will change our Church and the whole Anglican Communion forever.

I and all of us in Bath and Wells, will be praying for Sarah, Eamonn and their family as Sarah prepares to take on this role.

Michael Beasley

Bishop of Bath and Wells

Dear Editor,

World Mental Health Day is marked every year on October 10 and is a reminder to us all of the importance of good mental health.

In today’s era of instant news at your fingertips, and access to ever-changing events here in the UK and across the world, it’s no wonder that we may feel wrought with feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, and overwhelm.

At the Mental Health Foundation, we recognise the value of access to information in a more connected world. But it is also important that we know when to take a break from rolling news cycles and late-night doomscrolling on social media in order to protect our mental health.

The Mental Health Foundation have created tips and resources specifically to support those feelings of overwhelm, when engaging with bad news all gets a bit too much which can be found on our website: mentalhealth.org.uk/WorldMentalHealthDay.

Yours,

Alexa Knight

Director for policy and influence at the Mental Health Foundation