Dear Edior,

WHEN I moved to the UK from Poland in the early 2000s, I remember being struck by the pristine quality of the British road network.

At the time, they were the envy of Europe, a world apart from the crumbling, neglected streets of my childhood in 1990s Poland.

​Decades later, a bitter irony has emerged.

While Poland and much of Eastern Europe have invested heavily to bring their infrastructure into the 21st century, now boasting smooth, high-quality surfaces, the UK seems to be traveling in the opposite direction.

Driving through our local streets today feels like a trip back to the 1990s Eastern Bloc.

​Despite the heavy taxes we pay, our roads have become a ‘patchwork’ of temporary fixes.

We are seeing ‘sticking-plaster’ repairs that barely last a month before disintegrating back into potholes.

It is deeply frustrating to see public funds used so inefficiently on short-term solutions while the countries we once looked up to are now leaving us in the dust.

We deserve the quality of infrastructure our tax contributions should be guaranteed to provide.

Norbert Rutkowski

By email

Dear Editor,

ONE hundred and 10 guests gathered at Rumwell Orchard, in Taunton, on Saturday, February 7, for a truly special charity ball in support of Cancer Research UK.

The glamorous evening proved to be a resounding success, combining heartfelt purpose with unforgettable entertainment.

Held as part of a birthday challenge: £60,000 for 60 years, the event was organised by Ros Wills in loving memory of her late husband, Andrew.

Nearly £10,000 was raised on the night bringing the ongoing total to an impressive £45,000.

The generosity shown by everybody in attendance will help CRUK continue its mission to create a brighter future for all those affected by cancer.

Guests enjoyed a packed programme of festivities, including a raffle draw, golden envelopes, and an exciting auction of promises, alongside a fabulous three-course dinner.

The night ended on a high, with the dance floor filled as the Haus Band delivered a lively finale.

A remarkable evening, driven by community spirit and compassion, it was fund-raising at its finest.

Lucy Mann,

On behalf of Ros Wills.

Dear Editor,

A big thank you to players of People’s Postcode Lottery in the South West for their commitment to improving global health.

Since 2019, they’ve helped raise an incredible £16.6 million to support Sightsavers' work in Africa and Asia.

Your kindness is vital at a time when global health systems face immense financial pressure.

It helps us work with Governments and partners to improve access to eye care, glasses, and sight-saving surgery.

Eye conditions such as cataracts are treatable, but access to eye care services is not universal.

More than 85 per cent of people with vision impairment live in low and middle income countries.

Good eye health can help children to learn, adults to earn, and boost independence.

This can be seen through the story of Aziza, in Mozambique, who had to give up farming due to cataracts.

She relied on her family to cook, and support her with personal hygiene, eating, and drinking.

Thanks to cataract surgery through a project supported by Sightsavers, Aziza has her independence back.

She can take care of herself, sell beans to earn a living, as well as do household chores.

Thank you for helping transform the lives of people like Aziza.

You can learn more about the impact of your support at www.sightsavers.org.

Dr Caroline Harper

Chief executive

Sightsavers

Dear Editor,

CATS Protection is calling on the public to sign its open letter after the Government’s new ‘Animal Welfare Strategy’ failed to include any regulation of cat breeding - a decision that puts cats at growing risk of harm.

Harmful and extreme breeding practices, including the emergence of breeds such as the so-called Bully cat, are increasing.

Without regulation, anybody can breed kittens with no welfare standards, leading to serious health, behavioural and welfare problems.

We are dismayed the Government has chosen to leave cats behind.

By failing to address harmful breeding practices, the Government has effectively sanctioned the continued escalation of dangerous trends, allowing sick and suffering cats to be bred.

It sends a troubling message, that cats do not matter enough to receive the same protections as other animals.

We urgently need public support to demand meaningful action.

Please help us advocate for cats by adding your name to the open letter here – www.cats.org.uk.

Madison Rogers

Associate director of advocacy and campaigns

Cats Protection