Dear Editor,

Full marks to the teams from The National Grid and Truespeed, who shared the task of replacing the ageing electricity poles along the Bath road out of Paulton.

The road was closed for five days and is heavily used by commuters, but as advance warning of its closure was given, it is disappointing to hear of the abuse given to engineers, by motorists trying to push their way through.

Residents here have been treated with courtesy and consideration by all the workers. It has been an education to watch the highly skilled, potentially dangerous tasks being undertaken, as the massive poles were manoeuvred about.   

Thank you and well done! 

Peter and Pamela Leah

---

Dear Editor,

With reference to "Jenny's" letter on page 1 of issue 2,224 of the Journal I was unable to send an email to the address she gave as system would just not accept it.

I suggested that the houses being built there was a better way of stopping people going into Bath than the fortifications, closing of streets, and the increase in parking charges.

Victor Whetherly

---

Dear readers,

I’ve heard from many readers which is always pleasing, and I felt it only right to respond to some of those comments made.

Like many businesses facing economic challenges, not to mention the fiercely competitive media market, we need to streamline operations in order to remain as agile as possible to react to how people consume news. 

We have a new system to produce the newspapers, freeing us from the shackles of page production which will eventually allow us to spend more time producing news and content that matters to you the most. 

We can’t ignore a growing audience which expects to see more news, as it happens, online.

This change will not come without its issues which are similar to those I have experienced at other organisations trying to evolve. We expect them to be short-lived and we’re aware some regular submissions have not featured. This is not intentional, we apologise, but we need your patience and continued support.

Given the changes facing the news industry, we remain proud of belonging to and caring about our communities.

Please keep sending in your fantastic local content. We will get there with you.

David Shepherd

Regional Digital Editor,

---

Dear Editor,

I would like to thank everyone who came to our pensioners’ get together at Paulton Scouts’ Hall on March 22.

We had wonderful entertainment from Vince and a good old fashioned singsong which was enjoyed by all.

Our next one will be April 19 at 2:30pm. Bingo raffle, cuppa and play your cards right.

Everyone welcome.

From Shandy and Friends

---

Dear customer,

At Royal Mail, we consider it a privilege to serve every household and business in the UK. For 500 years, our posties have walked up and down our streets, day in, day out, to deliver for our customers.

In 2004/5, we posted 20 billion letters. By 2022/23, that number had dropped to seven billion.

The average address now receives just four letters a week. As a result, Royal Mail is facing huge financial pressure. Last year, we lost £419 million.

Without reform, there is risk that the one-price-goes-anywhere Universal Service, the legal requirement for Royal Mail to deliver to the UK’s 32 million addresses six days a week, won’t survive. We have published our proposal for how the Universal Service should change in a way that protects the things we know you value:

▪ The one-price-goes-anywhere service to all parts of the UK ▪ First Class letters delivered daily, six days a week ▪ The choice between a First Class and Second Class letter service ▪ Parcels delivered up to seven days a week as currently

Our proposal also includes some changes to deliver a more efficient and financially sustainable service. All non-First Class letter deliveries – Second Class and bulk business mail often used for letters such as bills and statements - would move to every other weekday.

We know how important it is to receive NHS letters, so we are also working with the NHS to explore options that could provide more reliability for time-sensitive medical letters.

With reform we would be able to invest in products and services we know you need and want.

If we want to save the Universal Service, we have to change the Universal Service. We’re doing everything we can to transform so that we can serve you better. And now we need Ofcom to do their bit.

Nick Landon Chief Customer Officer

---

Dear Editor,

I’m sure, we all fell very moved, when we learn of all the human disasters being afflicted on innocent people in our world!

It can make us feel helpless, but occasionally, we get the opportunity to do small thing to help. I am asking for help to carry out something I feel we can all take part in.

On Saturday, April 13, from 10am to 12pm a group of us will be collecting mens, ladies, and children’s clothes which will be taken to the people of Ukraine.

Blankets, shoes, and soft toys will also be received. One important thing that’s requested is candles. They get melted down and remade into a big candle for families to have light through the dark times. 

Already, St John’s Church and Westfield Methodist Church, have given partly used large candles, which have been gratefully received.

St John’s Church Hall is the Venue for collection, and a cup of Tea/Coffee awaits you.

Please make sure the items you donate are in charity shop condition.

I do hope you will find it in your hearts to donate.

Thank you so much,

Heather Hill 07882734507

---

Dear Editor,

Having lived through the atrocities of war, millions of Ethiopians are now facing emergency levels of food insecurity and hunger. The charity Mary’s Meals serves school meals to children in the Tigray region of the country, but sadly the stories we are hearing from Tigray are shocking. After the two-year civil war, so many children are still out of school, and many of those who are in school can’t learn due to debilitating hunger.

Before the conflict Selemon and his parents lived a happy life. Now his father has suffered a mental breakdown and is unable to support the family.

With no food at home, nine-year-old Selemon comes to school without eating anything and sits in class feeling hungry, instead of being able to focus on the lessons. He used to be bold and active in class, whereas now, he often seems to get confused.

The past few years have stolen so much from Selemon. Mary’s Meals is striving to reach his community and start serving meals to the children in his primary school. Alongside our local partner, we are ready to expand our school feeding programme to more schools like Selemon’s but we urgently need more funds to do so.

You can provide them with hope of a brighter future. Please visit marysmeals.org.uk to give what you can to our Crisis In Ethiopia appeal – at just 10p a meal no donation is too small.

Matt Barlow, Executive Director, Mary’s Meals