Dear Editor,

It is tragic to see so many of Minehead's heritage buildings simply languishing, and I fear another two or three more might soon go the same way. The Old Town Hall, once the pride of the town centre, was bought and is now being sat upon. The Old Hospital, which our Society wanted to be taken on by the Preservation Trust, which was interested in doing so, was voted down by those short-sighted committee members who wanted to create a Development Trust. After years of talking this came to nothing. It was bought with much fanfare and claims of community provision but is now up for sale again. The Queen's Hall was bought but is now being sat upon and yet could once again be a wonderful venue in a prime seafront site. The historic Clanville Gardens which the Conservation Society wanted to restore for the benefit of the town were bought by someone with no such altruistic motive and seemingly no plan.

Now the Old Police Station and Magistrates Court in Townsend Road is up for auction. What a great venue it would make for a quality hotel and restaurant for Minehead - much needed. Or an apprenticeship training centre; a Fashion and Arts training school and gallery; a technical skills based centre. Something that would create interest.

Soon either the TSB or Santander building will be surplus to requirements as the two banks amalgamate. It is time for Minehead to think constructively about how its buildings could be used to enhance the town's offer. So many people have said 'Please no more flats in these buildings and no more landlords with zilch interest in the community'. Housing is important but so is the preservation of our town's heritage, and a mixed offer of attractions which contribute greatly towards tourism and quality of life for residents.

The museum has been raising money for a new venue. If it could negotiate a long term lease for the Old Town Hall and use the money it secures to instal a lift from the small ground floor former office to the small first floor former office, which would provide the requisite access for disabled people, it could use the very attractive former council chamber to house the museum. There is already a toilet on that floor and storage rooms above. It would be in a central town position and what could be more appropriate than a museum to give new life to a heritage building.

We have so many attractive buildings built by notable architects and builders of the day with understandable pride and it now falls to our generation to be bold and ensure that they are protected, cared for and used in imaginative and relevant ways, that enhance the town's attraction and vitality, without endangering the buildings character and appearance.

Sally Bainbridge

Chair of Minehead Conservation Society

Dear Editor,

Where the 'resolve' the 'elected' members of local governance, pace 'Plan to convert youth hostel to single home'? Yet another 'speculative' aberration to this 'ancient' township and a further 'nail in the coffin'. A facility over 60 years having 'nurtured' many an adolescent; many a happy memory this 'octogenarian' sometime 27th Bristol Scouts Group.*

An expectation a vigorous challenge from the YMCA and Scout Association?

We rely on a 'vigilant' local press, a similar 'expose' the envisaged 'sacrilege' on the A39 'northern' entrance to Minehead.

Graham Livings

Minehead

Dear Editor,

Nigel Farage’s new ‘Britannia Card’ is being sold as taking from the rich to give to the poor, Robin Hood-style. But is it? To me it looks more like a massive tax break for wealthy foreigners, not available to British citizens. The Brits in this scheme have to make do with a few quid a year to trick them into selling out their own interests.

Under the plan, rich foreigners can pay £250,000 up front and avoid inheritance tax and tax on overseas income for ten years. That one-off payment might fund around £600 a year for some low-income Brits – crumbs, while the ultra-rich save millions.

This is from a party promising zero net migration. Yet it actively invites rich foreigners to settle here tax-free. It’s a reversal of Labour’s effort to scrap non-dom loopholes and a slap in the face to British taxpayers.

The estimated hole in public finances? £34 billion. That’s money lost to the NHS, potholes not repaired, schools crumbling. And who would have their taxes raised to compensate? Why British taxpayers of course?

How does this help ordinary Brits? It doesn’t.

Farage claims to stand up for Britain and British workers, but this policy sells both out. Did he create it on the back of a fag packet after a boozy lunch? Reform voters (now at 34 per cent in the polls – the same as what produced Labour's landslide): are you really buying this? Is this really the kind of PM you want?

Peter Scott, via email

Dear Editor,

Each year, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) publishes a report of the world’s most neglected displacement crises. It considers levels of humanitarian funding, media attention, and political engagement to end conflict. For the first time, Cameroon topped the list, followed by Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Burkina Faso.

At the international disaster relief charity ShelterBox, we specialise in emergency shelter for people who’ve been uprooted by conflict or disaster. We are responding to the four most neglected crises. Raising awareness and funds is difficult but crucial.

In 2024, humanitarian funding for the crisis was less than half what was needed.

Claire Leeson , via email