Dear Editor,

Can I please update information for the school reunion.

The reunion will now be held at Paulton Rovers Social Club, on Saturday, January 31, from 7pm to late and will now be in the bar area and not The Winterfield Suite.

There will be no cost to use the bar area, so there will be no entrance fee.

The school closed in the early 70s and anyone who attended the school are welcome to come along and share photographs, of pupils, teachers or events, undertaken at the school. There is no need to book, just turn up on the night.

Margaret Matthews

Address supplied

Dear Editor,

Through your page can I please ask all dog owners to please pick up their dogs poo.

Saturday we took my dad on his mobility scooter for a little trip from Woodborough Road, Stoneable Road into Waterloo road then Radstock and was infuriated to see so much dog poo just left on pavements.

My dad, not seeing it, drove through one lot at the beginning of our walk, so with my young grandson’s help, we used a long stick and struggled to clear most of the mess from his wheels.

Then in Waterloo Road he drove through another dollop!

Leaving your dogs poo in public places is not acceptable. Why have a dog if you can not clean up behind it?

How about you let it dirty in your backyard? What is the matter with people?

Don't be so lazy, clean up your dogs poo.

Absolutely disgusting so many children walk that way to school.

Lindsay Packer, via email

Dear Editor,

Our river through Midsomer Norton High Street looks lovely with the plants by the water and the pavement planters well cared for.

But walk further on to Redfield Road and the river there by Somervale School is a shocking site. It is full of beer cans, traffic cones and general rubbish and it’s getting worse by the day.

I walk past this area most days and the river that has become a rubbish tip is so depressing and a sad advertisement for visitors to our schools and the town.

Can anything be done? Do we still have community service payback? Is this the responsibility of the local council or BANES councillors?

Best wishes,

Christina Finch

Riverside Walk, Midsomer Norton

Dear Editor,

Many people want to give back to their communities, but sometimes finding the time to volunteer can be a real challenge.

It’s not always easy to commit to a traditional volunteering shift, at a specific time or on a regular basis. Balancing giving back with work, family, and other responsibilities can be difficult.

That’s why, thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, Royal Voluntary Service has launched GoVo, a free platform created to make it easier for people to discover volunteering opportunities in their local area, or remote, suited to their interests, availability, and the causes they care about.

Alongside the more traditional and regular volunteering roles people may already be familiar with, GoVo also offers flexible, one-off, remote, and more unexpected opportunities, with location dependent roles. These include dog walking for people with a terminal illness, DJing at discos for people living with dementia, knitting baby clothes for families in need, and providing exam support for young people with visual impairments.

Time can be priceless, and volunteering your time can be even more so – not just for the causes and people it supports, but for you as a volunteer too. Volunteering can have a powerful impact on your own wellbeing, improving mental health, building confidence, developing new skills, and creating a sense of purpose and connection with others in your community.

So, to anyone who would like to give volunteering a go – even if you feel short on time – I would encourage you to explore what’s available at GoVo.org, or to visit your local volunteer centre.

Thank you,

Dave Stott

Director of volunteering at Royal Voluntary Service

Dear Editor,

More than 117-million people around the world have been forced from their homes, yet new research shows that many crises driving this displacement remain almost entirely unknown to people in the UK.

A survey of 2,000 UK adults reveals just how wide the awareness gap is. Only eight per cent knew about the situations in Mozambique and Cameroon, where whole communities have been uprooted by violence.

At ShelterBox, the UK‑based disaster relief charity behind the study, we’re responding in all five countries. We support people forced to flee from conflict, the climate crisis, and other disasters with emergency shelter and essential items like solar lights, water filters, and cooking sets.

While 88 per cent of people surveyed weren’t aware of the scale of global displacement, nearly half said they want to learn more so they can help. At a time when it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, this gives real hope. Behind every statistic is a family like Nuria’s – simply trying to rebuild their lives with safety and dignity.

Sam Hewett

Regional director for East and Southern Africa, ShelterBox

Dear Editor,

A big thank you to players of People’s Postcode Lottery in the South West for their commitment to improving global health. Since 2019, they’ve helped raise an incredible £16.6 million to support Sightsavers' work in Africa and Asia.

Your kindness is vital at a time when global health systems face immense financial pressure. It helps us work with governments and partners to improve access to eye care, glasses and sight-saving surgery.

Thanks to cataract surgery through a project supported by Sightsavers, Aziza has her independence back. She can take care of herself, sell beans to earn a living, as well as do household chores.

Thank you for helping transform the lives of people like Aziza. You can learn more about the impact of your support at www.sightsavers.org

Dr Caroline Harper

CEO Sightsavers