Please may I congratulate the Free Press on its coverage of Porlock’s SOS Save Our Station campaign, particularly for such a full letters page in last week’s edition. 

As is apparent from the tenor of these letters, the whole community of Porlock and surrounding area is very angry about these frightening proposals and is prepared to fight to keep their fire cover. 

I’m sure that there are big issues in every area where the Devon and Somerset Fire Service cuts are proposed, but we must specifically address our own plight here in Exmoor.

And I say Exmoor because make no mistake, ANY reduction in cover at either Porlock (closure), Lynton (removal of one engine), Minehead, Williton (second engine at night only) or Dulverton would seriously reduce cover for ALL villages and farms between these stations.

The DSFS appears to be prepared to “save” money with a callous disregard for public safety, which as we all know has parallels in the disastrous reduction of the police force, so eminently castigated this week by senior police officers.

We are promised under the Safer Together plan that “roving” fire appliances will be deployed (meaning never there when you want them) just like the ambulances, and now like the police. “On yer bike, here’s a tablet and a smartphone, off you go!”.

Perhaps we should ask for a man on a bike with a bell, ladder and bucket!

Barry Hitchcox, Porlock