Dear Editor,

An open letter to the people of Somerset.

The countryside is your greatest achievement.

A beautiful masterpiece built by centuries of collaboration between people and nature.

From meadows and woodlands to rivers, coasts, and the green spaces that bind us together, the countryside connects and sustains us all.

For a century, the Campaign to Protect Rural England has been its guardian.

Despite the relentless, growing pressure on our landscapes, we have stood up for the countryside and helped give the people who love it a voice.

That will never change.

Many of the pressures facing our countryside today were familiar to our founders – not least the challenge of providing homes, infrastructure, and prosperity on a small island.

But, new pressures have emerged with more catastrophic impacts on the land we love.

Nature is in free-fall and climate change threatens to alter our landscapes for good.

Now, more than ever, decisions about how we use our land are leading to the needless loss of landscapes and everything they support.

Without drastic action, much of what makes our countryside unique and beautiful will be lost.

Wherever we live, we rely on the countryside for clean air, home grown food, thriving wildlife, and resilience in the face of climate change.

Yet, these foundations are being chipped away.

Too often decisions are shaped by profit, not what is needed most – and the countryside pays the price.

Our Somerset countryside is being industrialised with the spread of huge solar farms and battery storage systems.

Our Somerset villages are being overwhelmed by large housing estates made up of cookie-cutter detached homes, which are unaffordable to many people on local wages.

Nature in Somerset is being squeezed out, and our view of the stars is steadily being lost due to light pollution.

The quality of all our lives is diminished as a result.

Our centenary vision is for a countryside that is greener, more resilient, and protected for future generations.

There is a better way – one we are calling for, and one everybody can be part of:

• Stop the loss of countryside. Let us protect what we love and do everything we can to make sure green fields and woodlands are not needlessly lost.

• Improve the quality of the countryside for future generations. That means thriving communities, clean rivers, healthy food, and resilient landscapes rich in nature.

• Inspire more people to care for the countryside. A countryside for all where more people take action to enjoy and protect it.

We want a Somerset countryside where people of all ages can make a good life for themselves, where sustainable new developments actually replenish our environment and where our landscapes and nature are cherished and nourished for the benefit of us all.

Across the country, people are already showing what is possible – restoring hedgerows, rethinking development and sustainable farming, and making space for nature.

As we begin our centenary year, we are sending this message to everybody: Love your countryside and be part of its future.

This is just the beginning - and we all have a part to play in shaping what comes next.

If you share this vision, join the movement today, add your name to this letter, and stand with us.

Link to sign the letter is here: www.cpresomerset.org.uk/news/add-your-voice-to-our-letter-to-somerset

CPRE Somerset

Dear Editor,

The facts on Wellington Station are as follows:

In 2024, the project was all ready to go.

The necessary groundwork had been done.

Funds were in place.

The election was called.

The new Chancellor could not cancel without total loss of credibility.

The project was so far down the line and ready to go.

Wellington Station is the result of well over a decade of hard work and involvement of many different people and bodies.

It is the result of extensive and detailed studies and expertise and networking.

This is real vision and positive campaigning.

D Bradley

Little Yarford Farm, Kingston St Mary

Dear Editor,

January can be a particularly challenging time for mental health. The combination of shorter days, colder weather, financial pressures after Christmas, and a sense of anti-climax following the festive period can affect many of us. For members of the veteran community, these challenges can be even more pronounced.

Many veterans face ongoing issues linked to their service, including anxiety, depression, loneliness and difficulty adjusting to civilian life. During the winter months, feelings of isolation can intensify, especially for those living alone or with limited support networks.

Loneliness is another major concern at this time of year. To help combat this, we run Telephone Friendship Groups and facilitate local veteran meet-ups across the country, helping people reconnect, share experiences and feel less alone.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Pinner

Head of contact and casework, RAF Benevolent Fund