Dear Editor,

Could a reader please let me know why pine martens are being introduced to woodlands on Exmoor, in fact woodlands anywhere.

50 years ago I was very excited to see my first pine marten in Wales but with the wildlife situation as it is now I am thinking we don't need such a serious predator of small mammals and birds. I feel that encouraging the dormouse would be much better. A pine marten would have one of these for breakfast.

Am I not understanding the benefits that this animal will bring to our woodlands?

If anybody can inform me I would be grateful.

Sincerely,

Meg Sunningdale

Oak Tree Cottage, Blue Anchor

Dear Editor,

The Words in Watchet Committee have just spent a very enjoyable and busy weekend in Watchet working on our 3rd Literary Festival (Friday, February 20, to Sunday, February 22).

It was lovely to invite local residents of all ages, as well as those from further afield to join together and celebrate the joy of books and words. This year we have been lucky with the weather and the town was buzzing with poetical, fictional, fantastical, and historical words. Hopefully something for everyone!

We would like to thank all the committee for their year-round work in preparation for the weekend, as well as our loyal team of volunteers who worked their socks off during the weekend to help everyone enjoy the events.

We welcome any feedback from our visitors and volunteers as to what they enjoyed over the weekend, any difficulties they encountered, as well as any suggestions for future years. Please send any comments to [email protected]

When the dust has settled, we will be starting preparation for next year – so look out for news of Words in Watchet 2027. Later in the year, news will start appearing on our website wordsinwatchet.com, so put February 2027 in your diaries now!

Rachel Irven and Anne Lovejoy,

Words in Watchet organising committee

Dear Editor,

I have just read Chris Miller’s response to Mr Pickard’s letter in the Free Press (February 13) explaining about the exciting project the West Somerset Lagoon and correcting Rod Scotney’s incorrect comments.

I cannot understand why Mr Miller has replied such nonsense toward Mr Pickard’s comment on Mr Scotney’s incorrect comments as they were unfounded.

Mr Pickard corrected him.

I would like to say to the people of West Somerset to support this exciting project as I am afraid we are dying in our beautiful area of West Somerset as we are a deprived area.

This amazing project would bring wealth to our beautiful area which we are desperate for.

The Eden Project, Cornwall, is a prime example of how Cornwall has transformed.

I am an elderly local, my late husband taught at the old grammar school, and I was brought up on Exmoor, Christened at Simonsbath, so I know the area well.

We need this exciting project and the people of West Somerset need to get behind it as we want young people to stay to have a good future.

Please do not listen to people like Chris Miller assuming the directors are being funded, what proof has Mr Miller got of this.

If Mr Miller read and digested this project properly he would not jump to the wrong conclusion with his wrong allegations.

I, like many people, think this is a no-brainer, just amazing for the area, so let us support it and if Mr Miller wants to continue to write about the Elephant Man, propaganda, and purgatory, carry on.

I would like this letter printed as important as these people should get their facts straight before being allowed to write untruths.

Mrs G Write

The Parks, Minehead

Dear Editor,

Chris Miller ('Lagoon Propaganda' letter, February 20) seems vociferously opposed to the proposed Tidal Lagoon scheme, despite the unique opportunity the Bristol Channel offers to generate green energy, having the second-highest tidal range in the world.

He was also quite content to support the spraying of toxic chemicals around Minehead in his response to my letter on the council's use of weedkillers ('Glyphosate Armageddon - Really?' Letters, January 30).

To boot, in his attempt to devalue my opinion on glyphosate, he described my letter as 'shrill' - a gender-specific jibe which he wouldn't have aimed at a letter from a man. Is that the opening chord of 'Dancing Queen' I hear? Of course, silly me, we've gone back to the 1970s!

Marion Jay, via email

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ShelterBox