Dear Editor,

Ms Hawkins of Wellington moans about 'little value to pensioners' lives from services covered by council tax' and groans about 66 per cent of the tax going towards adult and children's social services.

How mean, miserable and sour can one be!

We are a society, not a collection of self-centred, socially insulated units. We all contribute via our taxes to the wellbeing of our society as a whole.

The best example for Ms Hawkins is the huge contribution made by our young and middle aged people towards the inflation proofed pensions enjoyed by those such as the good lady.

Anthony Jones

Minehead

Dear Editor,

The arrogance, ignorance and reckless incursions into other sovereign states, compounded with contradictory policies and rhetoric from the White House, have made the world dangerous, causing energy prices to rise, fluctuating bond markets and global economic chaos, shortages of fuel, food and fertilisers, imports through the Strait of Hormuz, now closed to shipping, brought by the illegal war in the Middle East.

This was started by the two leaders in the United States and in Israel, who each had their own agendas, to spare them from their criminal offences, which would end them in prison for their corruption and scandals, and autumn elections.

For both Jews and Christians, Passover and Good Friday are festivals focusing on freedom from slavery in Egypt, and for Christians it is Jesus sacrifice of his life to give us freedom from sin. On the cross Jesus prayed for those who ‘do not know what they are doing’. We must pray for those leaders of countries who need to seek forgiveness; to lay down their arms, and sit down with leaders in neighbouring countries, anxious to negotiate a peaceful end for their suffering peoples, with some ‘Strait’ talking, and remember the words of the Old Testament prophet Micah to act justly, seek mercy and walk humbly with their God.

Another thing these leaders share is their contempt for human life, their disregard for the thousands of innocent men, women and children, who have lost their homes, their lives, limbs, and their livelihoods in Israel, Gaza, Iran, Lebanon and other Gulf states, who did not ask to be brought into this war in the first place. The phrase ‘we are between the devil and the deep blue beautiful sea’ comes to mind.

To those who came to Jesus, He gave them freedom from sin, sight to the blind, and a command to love one another, whoever they were and from whatever their country or faith. We should remember we were all created equal in the image of a loving and merciful God. Can we think on these things over the festivals, and ask God to answer our prayers for peace to be restored to countries suffering so much pain and loss. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Isabel Ward

Wellington

Dear Editor,

It’s good that Alex Harman brought the plight of bull calves in the dairy industry to our notice but part of me thinks their demise has to be the better part of the deal as any female in the dairy industry has an extremely difficult and unhappy life ahead of her.

The dairy industry would like us to think that she will be able frolic in green fields and buttercups. This is far from reality as a vast number of cows in the UK will never see a blade of grass of feel the sun on their backs.

Cows in this country and around the world are subjected to a relentless cycle of forced impregnation, pregnancy, birth and separation from their calves very soon after birth leaving mother and calf distraught. This can happen up to 11 times in the life of a dairy cow.

Due to an increasing demand for cheap dairy products milk is being produced on an industrial scale with thousands of cows being housed on concrete in as cramped conditions as possible to stay alive and never having any fun out of doors which cows do actually love to have.

Sadly, as long as their is a demand for dairy products the life of a cow will not improve.

Sincerely,

Meg Sunningdale

Blue Anchor

Dear Editor,

I read in last week’s Wellington Weekly News a letter from Alex Harman about dairy bull calves being shot at birth.

I felt I had to write to inform your readers that this is, in fact, incorrect.

The milk buyers have now banned this practice, quite rightly.

There is also now available ‘sexed semen’, which is very reliable, so fewer bull calves are being born.

Also, he is wrong by saying these bull calves are ‘not suitable for beef’.

Only today my farmer husband purchased seven British Friesian steers (males) from Sedgemoor Market that are eight months old.

He paid on average £680 per calf.

These calves will stay on our farm, fed on grass until they are two-and-a-half years old, and will then be sold for beef.

Please, Alex Harman, check your facts before writing to the papers.

Farmers are having a really difficult time as it is without this mis-information.

Name and address supplied

Dear Editor,

In history American presidents have intervened in the politics and events of other countries, bombing, invading and the death of their troops.

Donald Trump’s actions have taken this to another extreme and it seems set to escalate with predictable consequences.

Trump obviously has not thought about previous American actions in the past. Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq — need I say more.

Andrew Brown, via email