Dear Editor,

Well, well the Dorset Forelle boys have shown their true colours with threats and belittling comments directed at their much larger neighbouring County of Somerset. They do not appear to have heard Minehead Male Voice choir singing about our 'Stout Hearted Men' or seen our Womens' rugby team in action or they would know that we are no push over! Seems they have been reading too much Thomas Hardy and are concocting their own Hardy-esque story with a tragic ending for Minehead.

We really appreciate Forelle's attempts to give both Somerset Council and West Somerset the benefit of their valuable advice on how to act and think and feel but the fact that 717 people have registered their objections online and many others by letter and attachment documents, would suggest that the people of Somerset are more than capable of expressing their views unaided.

Has its personnel learned nothing from history?

All Forelle is interested in, is money. Be under no illusion that it is seeking to save the planet for if it was, it would not even be considering blighting a green field site in the open countryside with commercial grot that will create light pollution, noise and litter, as well as destroying the attractive entry to our town.

Forelle has tried to belittle our landscape by saying that the site is of little aesthetic value and to claim that it is part of the built up environment. Both of which are patently untrue. They have conveniently ignored the long list of other valid planning objections.

I would respectfully suggest that Forelle's agents pop their plans back in their briefcases and buzz off back to Dorset and seek a more gullible audience at the entry to Dorset's attractive seaside resorts — if they can. Leaving Somerset Council to make its own decisions unaided and the residents of West Somerset to exercise their democratic right to object in defence of their green and pleasant land.

Sally Bainbridge,

Minehead Conservation Society

Dear Editor,

Succinct reporting (WSFP: March 6, 2026 - 'Appeal threat over A39 service station plan’.)

Something amiss in the state of Denmark, pace Somerset Council's 'maladministration' in determination the aforementioned application. Of course the 'applicants' agent would exhort the 'speculative' proposal. In a democracy 'local' residents are at the core of 'community' development. The democratic process confirmation 'strong' opposition from both Minehead Town Council/Dunster Parish Council/Minehead Conservation Society/Exmoor National Park.

What in this octogenarians experience 'speculative' development ignores, to the detriment the community the 'intangible' vista, in this case the 'entrance' to unsurpassed Exmoor. This ultimately is the decision of the 'planning committee' consequent on a formal site meeting. The 'largesse' Somerset Unitary Authority the A39 twixt Bridgwater/Minehead.

Your readers will take comfort in the 'outcome' Wells Relief Road Inquiry 1993/4 against an omnipotent Somerset County Council. Surely the unitary council 'learnt' something?

Graham Livings

Minehead

Dear Editor,

After yet another week of covering James Wright – for what reason, I can’t quite figure out – I look forward to a more balanced paper in the weeks to come. I was also surprised to see his letter, where he provided his location as ‘Exmoor’, when I was sure he lives well outside of West Somerset, and Exmoor itself!

While Wright may mouth off in public forums, our Member of Parliament has been hard at work campaigning on the issues which matter most to the people of West Somerset. It is wonderful to see how closely the Phoney Farmer’s campaigning activities mirror what’s being done by our active MP. Whether it’s on business rates, the West Somerset Railway, or a whole host of other issues, he always appears to be a day late and a penny short.

There is only one question that requires an answer from him — is he about to throw his hat in with Reform, as Conservative HQ hopes?

Kind regards,

Benet Allen

Minehead

Dear Editor,

Rail travel is key to getting around for blind and partially sighted people yet remains and unsafe for many with sight loss.

RNIB research shows barriers exist at every step of the journey: planning, buying and managing tickets, navigating in train stations, finding staff, getting on the train safely, finding a seat, and more. Think about having to judge the gap between the train and the platform without being able to see it clearly.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Operators can play their part by training their staff on how to support passengers better and make sure tactile wayfinding or better signage is introduced to make it possible to navigate more independently around stations.

Eleanor Thompson, 

Director of policy campaigns and social action, RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) 

Dear Editor,

At the international disaster relief charity ShelterBox, we’ve launched an urgent appeal to raise £50,000 to support families caught up in crises in places like Somalia, Sudan, and Ethiopia.

ShelterBox works closely with women to understand what they need and support them with things like securing tenancy agreements and understanding their rights. Their knowledge, leadership, and resilience are vital in rebuilding lives. At every stage, we assess the specific risks they face and provide practical items that help maintain dignity such as private shelters with lockable doors, solar lights, fuel-efficient stoves, reusable sanitary products, and underwear.

Our spring appeal comes at a crucial moment. The need for emergency shelter is rising, while global humanitarian funding is falling. We urgently need support to reach more families.

Kezhe Temir

Programme officer at ShelterBox