Postbag

LETTER

Letter: 'Assisted suicide - what are we sleepwalking into?'

Letter: 'Assisted suicide - what are we sleepwalking into?'

Letter: Bridgwater is being 'attacked' by vandals

Letter: Bridgwater is being 'attacked' by vandals

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Bridgwater is being 'attacked' by vandals

Learning this life-saving skill could help someone one day

Learning this life-saving skill could help someone one day

Letter: 'Take advantage of learning life-saving skills'

Somerset Council took no action against Cllr Brian Smedley (left) after he published a doctored photograph of Cllr Diogo Rodrigues (inset).

Somerset Council took no action against Cllr Brian Smedley (left) after he published a doctored photograph of Cllr Diogo Rodrigues (inset).

Somerset Council

‘Claiming a freedom of speech victory with a puerile doctored photo beggars belief’

‘I have been using my campaigning to also shine a light on the wonderful area.’

‘I have been using my campaigning to also shine a light on the wonderful area.’

General Election 2024

Claire Sully: ‘Let's talk about how wonderful the new Bridgwater constituency is!’

Claire Sully, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for the new Bridgwater constituency.

Claire Sully, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for the new Bridgwater constituency.

Local government

Letter: MP candidate Claire Sully on James Heappey stepping down

Liberal Democrat MP candidate for Bridgwater, Claire Sully.

Liberal Democrat MP candidate for Bridgwater, Claire Sully.

Local government

Letter: Somerset Councillor and MP candidate Claire Sully on gender pay gap

Cllr Habib Farbahi calls for more cash for mental health services

Cllr Habib Farbahi calls for more cash for mental health services

1

LETTER: 'We need to invest more in mental health services'

Bridgwater councillor questions colleague's Just Stop Oil protests

Bridgwater councillor questions colleague's Just Stop Oil protests

3

Bridgwater councillor questions colleague's Just Stop Oil protests

Somerset County Council headquarters in Taunton.

Somerset County Council headquarters in Taunton.

Local government

2

'I have read of the toxic spats between the two major parties'

Hinkley Point C. Picture: EDF

Hinkley Point C. Picture: EDF

1

'These apparently could be ‘mini-nukes’ in the lingo of the politicians.'

Letter about the housing crisis. Picture: Getty Images

Letter about the housing crisis. Picture: Getty Images

5

'The big problem though is that Somerset is not retaining young people'

Letter about overproduction. Picture: Getty Images

Letter about overproduction. Picture: Getty Images

5

'We're in an era of mass overproduction - offices, cars, ships, planes...'

''Have a go at nursing! I did...'

''Have a go at nursing! I did...'

''Have a go at nursing! I did...'

VOTE: On social care reform in Parliament

VOTE: On social care reform in Parliament

'We have a social care policy that massively benefits the wealthy'

CHANGES: At the Cooper Associates County Ground. PICTURE: Alan Casling/Somerset Camera Club

CHANGES: At the Cooper Associates County Ground. PICTURE: Alan Casling/Somerset Camera Club

'Rethink cricket ground bar change - before it's too late'

''Cynical' doesn't begin to describe this Government'

''Cynical' doesn't begin to describe this Government'

National government

''Cynical' doesn't begin to describe this Government'

'I welcome river widening, but what about the Parrett?'

'I welcome river widening, but what about the Parrett?'

1

'I welcome river widening, but what about the Parrett?'

'Are the days of the village church over?'

'Are the days of the village church over?'

'Are the days of the village church over?'

EXPLANATION: Health Minister, Sajid Javid

EXPLANATION: Health Minister, Sajid Javid

'Reasoning over vaccine passports is ludicrous'

'Somerset people were rude, grumpy and almost physically aggressive'

'Somerset people were rude, grumpy and almost physically aggressive'

2

'Somerset people were rude, grumpy and almost physically aggressive'

'Our travel ordeal due to vaccination proof'

'Our travel ordeal due to vaccination proof'

'Our travel ordeal due to vaccination proof'

'Local government should MEAN local'

'Local government should MEAN local'

Local government

'Local government should MEAN local'

'Please learn to use merge lanes properly!'

'Please learn to use merge lanes properly!'

'Please learn to use merge lanes properly!'

'This is our chance to take back control of Somerset'

'This is our chance to take back control of Somerset'

Local government

'This is our chance to take back control of Somerset'

ATTRACTION: Kilve Beach. PICTURE: Adam Burgess/Somerset Camera Club

ATTRACTION: Kilve Beach. PICTURE: Adam Burgess/Somerset Camera Club

1

'We will never visit Kilve beach again...'

ONE COUNCIL: For Somerset by 2023

ONE COUNCIL: For Somerset by 2023

Local government

1

'Democracy in Somerset is dead - funeral in 2023'

CRITICISM: From Bridgwater and West Somerset MP, Ian Liddell-Grainger

CRITICISM: From Bridgwater and West Somerset MP, Ian Liddell-Grainger

'MP's criticism of ambulance service is rank hypocrisy'

'ENDEMIC': Have you had to dodge cyclists on paths?

'ENDEMIC': Have you had to dodge cyclists on paths?

24

'Sick of dodging bikes on paths'

ROADWORKS: Blackbrook Bridge being lifted into place, as part of the Junction 25 improvements

ROADWORKS: Blackbrook Bridge being lifted into place, as part of the Junction 25 improvements

9

'Drivers are in for long waits'

POTHOLE PROBLEM: What are your thoughts on Somerset's roads? (pic: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

POTHOLE PROBLEM: What are your thoughts on Somerset's roads? (pic: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

8

'Time to sort county's pothole problem'

DEFENCE REVIEW: Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks to employees during a visit to BAE Systems at Warton Aerodrome, to mark the publication of the Integrated Review and the Defence White Paper (pic: Christopher Furlong/PA Wire)

DEFENCE REVIEW: Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks to employees during a visit to BAE Systems at Warton Aerodrome, to mark the publication of the Integrated Review and the Defence White Paper (pic: Christopher Furlong/PA Wire)

19

'Why are we spending so much on defence?'

CONSIDERATION: The Red Brick Building in Glastonbury (pic: Google Street View)

CONSIDERATION: The Red Brick Building in Glastonbury (pic: Google Street View)

1

'Derelict factory buildings could be put to good use'

TRAGEDY: Floral tributes left next to the bandstand in Clapham Common, London, for Sarah Everard (pic: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire)

TRAGEDY: Floral tributes left next to the bandstand in Clapham Common, London, for Sarah Everard (pic: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire)

6

'Violence against women will always exist in this imperfect world'

VENUE: The Zinc nightclub in Taunton

VENUE: The Zinc nightclub in Taunton

9

'People need to learn what is acceptable'

OPEN SPACE: Is enough provision being made for foothpaths?

OPEN SPACE: Is enough provision being made for foothpaths?

5

'Future housing developments need footpath provision'

INSTALLED: Swift boxes can help the birds nest. PICTURE: Bristol Swifts

INSTALLED: Swift boxes can help the birds nest. PICTURE: Bristol Swifts

'We need a swift resolution to bird nesting problem'

TORN APART: Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in conversation with Oprah Winfrey (pic: Joe Pugliese/Harpo Productions via AP)

TORN APART: Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in conversation with Oprah Winfrey (pic: Joe Pugliese/Harpo Productions via AP)

38

'Poor Meghan clearly had a hard time'

CHANGES COMING: Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (pic: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

CHANGES COMING: Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (pic: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

8

'One Somerset is anti-democratic'

PROPOSALS: Somerset County Council headquarters at County Hall in Taunton (pic: Daniel Mumby/BBC wire)

PROPOSALS: Somerset County Council headquarters at County Hall in Taunton (pic: Daniel Mumby/BBC wire)

13

'One Somerset plan has the advantage'

COURT CASE: Health secretary Matt Hancock (pic: PA)

COURT CASE: Health secretary Matt Hancock (pic: PA)

26

'We must demand more transparency from government'

READY OR NOT? A blessing ceremony at Bristol's Nightingale Hospital

READY OR NOT? A blessing ceremony at Bristol's Nightingale Hospital

15

‘Covid-19 has taught us how ill-prepared the NHS was’

DEPARTURE: Prime Minister Boris Johnson drives a Union flag-themed JCB through a fake wall emblazoned with the word

DEPARTURE: Prime Minister Boris Johnson drives a Union flag-themed JCB through a fake wall emblazoned with the word

13

‘Has Covid-19 given the government a Brexit shield?’

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Deborah Meaden (pic: PA)

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE: Deborah Meaden (pic: PA)

17

‘Taunton needs to be realistic’

BUDGET: Chancellor Rishi Sunak (pic: PA)

BUDGET: Chancellor Rishi Sunak (pic: PA)

‘Can I encourage a bit of Budget lobbying?’

SUPPORT: Children have needed laptops to study online at home during lockdown (pic: PA Wire)

SUPPORT: Children have needed laptops to study online at home during lockdown (pic: PA Wire)

5

‘Government needs to sort itself out – not rely on volunteers’

RECESSION: High streets are under pressure

RECESSION: High streets are under pressure

‘Somerset needs more help to recover from pandemic’

APPEAL: Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden has urged social media users to do their bit in tackling coronavirus-related

APPEAL: Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden has urged social media users to do their bit in tackling coronavirus-related

9

‘Please guard against coronavirus misinformation’

DEBATE: The House of Commons (pic: UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/PA Wire)

DEBATE: The House of Commons (pic: UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/PA Wire)

5

‘I’m worried about the future of our NHS’

TRENCH: Roadworks taking place (pic: Fiona Hanson/PA Wire)

TRENCH: Roadworks taking place (pic: Fiona Hanson/PA Wire)

10

‘More roadworks? Then pay our council tax…’

PUBLIC SERVICE: Taunton Bus Station

PUBLIC SERVICE: Taunton Bus Station

'Thank you to all bus drivers'

PROPOSALS: Somerset County Council headquarters, Taunton

PROPOSALS: Somerset County Council headquarters, Taunton

9

‘Residents have not been properly consulted over unitary plan’

DEBATE: Hinkley Point C

DEBATE: Hinkley Point C

23

‘Next government u-turn should be over Hinkley’

WORRY: Should supermarkets refuse to let people in without a mask or visor? (pic: PA Wire)

WORRY: Should supermarkets refuse to let people in without a mask or visor? (pic: PA Wire)

17

‘I’m so angry over lack of masks in supermarkets’