Dear Editor,

Friends of Percy Lambert convened at The Glen nursing home, Evercreech, last week to celebrate their colleague's 99th birthday.

Members of CAMP (Community Archaeology on the Mendip Plateau) celebrated Percy's birthday and long association with our group, where he was working on-site into his tenth decade. We were joined by friends from Oakhill Historical Society where Percy was also a member, having published two books on the history of Oakhill.

We must thank the staff of The Glen residential home for their hospitality and for joining us in the celebration. Percy lived all his life in Oakhill and was captain of both the football and cricket teams. He remarked that his only regret in life was that he had once reached 94 runs in an innings but never managed 100.

He was reassured by members that he would certainly achieve his century in twelve months. Same time next year Percy!

Yours sincerely,

 Howard Hardman

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Dear Editor,

The quote featured on the front page, “Parking charge plan ‘would irreversibly damage town’”, from Issue No. 2,231 - would it? A bit of over-the-top panic mongering, more like.

It’s more likely that after a few weeks of grumbling things would settle down and we’ll carry on as normal. Why would people stop driving to the town and spend more than the parking charge in fuel to go elsewhere? Where is “elsewhere”? Shepton? Wells? Trowbridge? Bath? All of which have parking charges, yes? Pointless.

Why the aversion to renting a rectangle of tarmac to store your private property? Why should the taxpayer subsidise your parking space? Entitlement much?

Doing nothing isn’t an option either. With the continuing expansion of car-dependent housing estates around the town it’s quite likely in the near future that the town car parks might be permanently rammed most of the day – they’re pretty busy now, aren’t they. At least with a charging regime we might have a fighting chance of finding a space.

Rather than getting all shouty and angry perhaps people might think of their blood pressure and try to stop and think a little.

Alternatively: on your bike.

Regards,

Nigel Shoosmith

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Dear Editor,

From June 10, all cats in England must be microchipped and registered on a database by the time they reach 20 weeks old. Failure to do so could land owners with a hefty fine, and the legislation gives local authorities the power to confiscate cats and microchip them, before returning them to the owner and handing them the bill.

Recent reports suggest that 25% of cats are currently not microchipped, which is almost three million cats. Once the new law comes into force, owners found without their cat microchipped will have just 21 days to have one implanted. After the 21 days, owners may then face a fine of up to £500. We have done the hard part by getting the law changed. Now it is down to cat owners to make sure this is the success we know it can and will be.

For veterinary practices, animal welfare organisations and local councils, it can be incredibly challenging to reunite unchipped pet cats with their owner if they are missing or have been stolen stolen. Microchipping is an inexpensive procedure, and is fairly simple and quick to do and can save owners the heartache of never getting their cats back, or never having closure should the worst happen, and could save a cats life. Sadly, we see it all the time where road accident victims end up being euthanised with simple cuts and bruises, simply because no owner could be located via a microchip. When we say it could be a matter of life and death, we are not joking.

The process of microchipping involves the quick, simply and painless insertion of a chip, generally around the size of a grain of rice, under the skin. The microchip has a unique serial number that the keeper needs to register on a database. When a cat is found, the microchip can be read with a scanner and the registered keeper identified on a database so the pet can quickly be reunited with them. We would urge owners to comply with the new law because it is working for them and their cats, not against.  

When a cat is not microchipped, they can also be picked up as a stray and end up clogging the rescue system, which is already on it's knees due to the current cost of living crisis, some shelters with waiting lists full of cats to enter care into the hundreds. Even cats that are house cats or have catios and enclosed gardens can still escape through windows, doors, or of course carriers on the way to the vets. We are so pleased the Government have brought in this law after years of campaigning, but we remain concerned about the scanning system that compliments it. We have remained clear to DEFRA that, for microchipping to work in practice, chips must be scanned. We continue to push the Government on introducing effective scanning measures so as many cats as possible can go home to their families where they belong. Unfortunately, this microchip law can only be successful is the chips are scanned when they are needed to be.  Our efforts have always been, and will always continue to be, focused on the welfare of cats firstly, followed by the rights and needs of their owners. We urge all cat owners who have not yet microchipped their cat to make an appointment at their local vets or with their nearest registered implanter. It's vital people book through a trained and registered implanter to prevent injury or potential complications to their beloved cat. Your nearest can be found at: https://www.animaltracker.co.uk/find-an-implanter/

We simply want cats to have the assurance of a voice when they are beyond their owners four walls, and we want cat owners to be given the very best chance of being reunited should they become separated from their cat for whatever reason. We urge people to act now to prevent a hefty fine. Microchips may be low cost or even free as rescues offer incentives to beat the deadline, and some will offer year round discounts to those on low incomes, so do check with your local rescue centre.

Best wishes,

CatsMatter

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Dear Editor,

Moving regularly and being active is important to nurture and protect good mental health but many of us are not moving enough. That’s why ‘Movement: moving more for our mental health’ is the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week which is taking place from 13 to 19 May.

We know that it can be difficult to be physically active when you’re busy with work, childcare or caring responsibilities. We know it can be tougher still if you’re living with a long-term health condition or struggling financially. That’s why we’re sharing information and advice throughout the week to help people move more for their mental health. People are invited to find their #MomentsForMovement and talk about how it makes them feel. 

Whether it’s dancing around your living room to your favourite music, doing chair exercises while watching television, or going for a walk in your local park, it all counts, and the Mental Health Foundation want to hear about it! We invite your readers to share what they’re doing and tag the Mental Health Foundation to be part of the #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek conversation.

Your faithfully,

Alexa Knight

Director of England Mental Health Foundation