Dear editor,

I have come to the conclusion that Minehead does not exist, that is when it comes to the weather forecast. Surely, I am not the only person to have noticed that on BBC Points West weather forecast in particular, one is always told "we have had thick cloud cover" when we have experienced two days (set apart) of wall to wall sunshine. The last time this happened after a particularly nice day, I watched the show that evening and the forecaster said "pointing to our area on the map"

"Well, it’s been its another cloudy dreary day," why is Minehead ignored? I totally understand that we do indeed get a lot of cloudy days, however, we must celebrate the sunny ones. Everyone I saw in the High street on those days commented on how lovely it was.

Wake up BBC and get your facts right please.

Gina Robinson

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Dear editor,

So, a few Labour supporters go to campaign for the Democrats candidate in the United States election and the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is quick to complain. Yet when Nigel Farage and Liz Truss go over to campaign for Trump or Conservative leadership candidate Robert Jenrick voices support for dear old Donald, the silence is deafening.

Given that I'm expecting a Trump victory with maybe a little bit of extra foreign interference from Netanyahu and Israel, it seems clear to me that hypocrisy continues to run very deep in the Republican party, the Conservative Party and Nigel Farage's Reform.

Geoffrey Brooking

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Dear editor,

In response to ‘999 crews response to cliff fall’ article, I find it hard to believe so many emergency services were necessary?

Equally unnecessary was the number of coastguards and police at the scene of a body on Dunster Beach on October 13 - i.e, over a dozen doing next to nothing. I happened to be passing at the time. 

It reminded me of an incident at Robin Hood’s Bay many years ago when my husband pulled a body out of the sea. We called the Coastguard and in minutes an ambulance arrived and they quietly and without any fuss, or with any other emergency services on hand, removed the body and took it away.

Need I say more?

Name and address supplied.

Dear editor,

Over the coming days, we are reminded, by wearing a Red Poppy, to remember those whose lives were sacrificed as volunteers or otherwise, while serving in our armed forces and whose names populate our Memorials.  What is missing is any recognition of the many more thousands of lives that were lost by innocent civilians because of the primitive practice of war.

If we were able to add to those already listed, the countless additional names who also perished, the memorials would be a feature, not so easily ignored in our urban or rural landscape. By wearing a White Poppy, we choose to remember these additional casualties as well as our own, as a measure of political failure and bearing witness to the full human cost of war.

There will be a White Poppy wreath laying ceremony by Bridgwater Peace Group on Monday, November 11, King Square, Bridgwater at 6.30pm to which everybody is invited.

Charles Graham

Bridgwater Peace Group

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Dear editor,

This Remembrance Day, we once again take time to remember all servicemen and women who died in the world wars and in other conflicts. It is a day to remember the sacrifice and service of the people who have defended our freedoms. The huge loss of life in both World Wars is almost incomprehensible today; each individual loss was grieved by families, loved ones, and fellow soldiers, sailors, or aviators. For those at home, lives were forever changed by death, and for many who did return, their lives were never the same again.

This time of year gives us the opportunity to pause together to remember those who have died in all conflicts throughout the decades and we will ensure that their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Those selfless and humble individuals are an inspiration to all of us who have followed in their footsteps.

People who serve in the Royal Air Force today continue to demonstrate unwavering determination, resilience, compassion and skill in the face of evolving global challenges. Many are enriched by their Service but for some, the physical and mental impact of their roles can remain with them for the rest of their lives.  

For over 105 years, the RAF Benevolent Fund has provided life-changing practical, emotional and financial support to those who serve, veterans, and their families. We will continue to be there, alongside the RAF Family, ready to act when needed – now and in the years ahead.

Yours sincerely

Air Vice-Marshal Chris Elliot

Controller, RAF Benevolent Fund