Dear Editor,

ON the morning of March 23, the road sweeper was in that part of Bicknoller north of the A358.

Some roads were swept others were not.

The roads that were swept were not cut into the verge and were, in any case, largely free of debris.

The sweeping is not for litter removal but the removal of detritus of leaves and mud from recent winter weather conditions.

The lanes that really required sweeping were untouched, leaving the drains to become blocked and to be expensively cleared in the future.

Lack of proper maintenance by highways now means that ambulances cannot pass without touching both sides of the road at once and bouncing patients.

Who decides which roads are to be swept and who monitors that the work is done?

I am aware that tough twigs can slow down the sweeping process, but they do not need to eliminate it.

Stuart Dowding

Bicknoller

Dear Editor,

Regarding your front page story today (March 20) about somebody who gave First Aid to a man having a seizure.

I suggest you check your facts.

My husband has epilepsy and the action of putting something in somebody’s mouth is incorrect.

Please retract the advice as it may lead to somebody being injured or worse.

Dean Hawker

Minehead

Editor’s note: Last week’s Free Press simply reported on an incident that had occurred, and did not contain any ‘First Aid advice’ for readers. We included signposting in the article to advice from the NHS on ‘What to do if someone has a seizure (fit)’, which can be found here: www.nhs.uk/symptoms/what-to-do-if-someone-has-a-seizure-fit.

Dear Editor,

I, ALONG with many others, received our council tax bill this week.

Included was a statement from Cllr Bill Revans outlining the expenditure for the coming year.

He states the tax increase for this year is 4.99 per cent, £1.78 a week for band D.

Can he, therefore, explain why my increase is £3.16 per week.

By my reckoning 4.99 per cent is a rise of £123.16, but my increase is £164.40 per year.

As pensioners in our 80s there is little value to our lives from services covered by council tax and to see 66 per cent of this is for children and adult social care is very unfair on pensioners, this should be covered in part from national Government.

Barbara Hawkins

Wellington

Editor’s note: In defence of Cllr Revans, not that he cannot defend himself, it should be pointed out he is not responsible for increases in parish and town council, police, and fire brigade precepts which are added to his own council’s bill.

Dear Editor,

I WANT to share something I only learned recently, because I think most people genuinely don't know it either.

When a mother cow gives birth to a male calf, that calf has no place in the dairy system.

He cannot produce milk, and he is typically not a breed suited to beef production.

So, he is killed.

Last year in Great Britain, this happened 60,745 times before calves even reached eight months of age – over six every hour, according to figures Animal Aid obtained from the Rural Payments Agency.

The numbers are shocking.

But what also shocked me was where it happens.

More male calves under two months old are killed on farms than in slaughterhouses.

Nearly six in 10 calves killed with no regulatory oversight, within metres of their mothers.

I don’t think most people are heartless.

I think most people simply don’t realise purchasing dairy comes with a devastating consequence, for thousands of male calves, and for the mothers who bring them into the world.

Alex Harman

By email

Dear Editor,

BOWEL cancer is the UK’s fourth most common cancer, and second biggest cancer killer.

We know one way we can reduce our risk of developing bowel cancer is by taking part in regular exercise.

This April, for Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, Bowel Cancer UK are encouraging people to do something active every day as part of our ActiveApril campaign.

Whether your readers would like to challenge themselves to reach a fitness goal or get active in their own way, every movement they make in ActiveApril will bring us closer to a future where nobody dies of bowel cancer.

Genevieve Edwards

CEO, Bowel Cancer UK

Dear Editor,

LYMPHOMA Action are delighted to announce the return of our national conference, taking place on Friday May 8, in York.

Anybody affected by lymphoma is welcome to attend, whether they have received a diagnosis themselves or are supporting a loved one.

Readers might be interested in this unique opportunity to hear from lymphoma experts, meet others affected by the condition, ask questions and share experiences.

We will be joined by medical professionals who will talk about why lymphoma causes symptoms and the side effects of treatment, and our dedicated wellbeing sessions will offer practical tips for day-to-day living.

Attendees will also hear the personal story of somebody with a lived experience of lymphoma.

There will be plenty of time to connect with others affected by lymphoma throughout the day, and to find out more about the services and support Lymphoma Action has available as the UK’s leading charity dedicated to this type of blood cancer.

Our national conference will be held on Friday, May 8, at The Milner York Hotel, in York.

Tickets cost £30 per person (including lunch and refreshments) and prior booking is essential

For further information, or to book your place, please visit: https://lymphoma-action.org.uk/conference.

For 40 years we have supported the lymphoma community.

We are pushing harder than ever to make sure everybody with lymphoma gets the care they need.

Our services include a Freephone helpline, support meetings, buddy service, preparing for treatment service, Facebook support group, ‘Live your Life’ programme, and conferences for people affected by lymphoma.

Amanda Harris

Lymphoma Action