Rescue dog has been a reason to keep going

I was really sad to see that Swindon’s charity SN Dogs has stopped after 10 years due to lack of volunteers.

I know they have rehomed hundreds of really needy dogs and given so many Swindonians a valued new member of their family.

In 2020 we adopted an ‘Oldie’ named Merlin who is a real character and looks very distinctive.

He has provided companionship and a reason to keep going after hard times.

I would like to thank all the people involved in this really worthwhile charity for their hard work and and dedication to combat cruelty or hardship to dogs.

Judi Jones

By email

Trickle down economics has never worked

I wrote to my MP J Tomlinson, with the issue at the time being that Europe had imposed tax on energy firms, and supported that decision with the statement that nobody should profit from war.

I felt that it was an approach and statement that would normally have been made by UK, as it was incredibly in tune with British values. My concern was that the PM was making statements that the UK would not be doing such a thing, instead it would be the case that the energy companies would not only continue to receive the obscene levels of profit they have been because the price rises are so high, but that in order to make sure those profits remained high the Government would order the people to borrow money to pay those them.

Regrettably, Mr Tomlinson's reply confirmed that this was the Government's policy.

In the same letter I highlighted my serious concerns with the apparently awful delivery of what appeared to be a very childishly conceived and ill-delivered 'mini-budget' that had circumvented all checks and controls, and alluded to a trickle-down economic approach that has never in all of history been shown to work.

Sadly Mr Tomlinson's response confirmed that this was the strategy.

I now hear on the news this morning that apparently the PM and Chancellor have 'heard the message' and started to retract bits and pieces. It appears I was correct in my concerns.

I feel it is worth pointing out to the people of Swindon that the cost to those that are working, regardless of the outcome, is currently about £2000 per working person.

That was before the inflation jump, the sharp rise in food costs, the mortgage chaos, and before the energy loan we are all going to be paying back, it really is a shame that it cost us £65Bn for them to 'get it'.

The trust in the competence of Government, the belief that we as a nation stand for something like decency, the faith that we are a society that can and will look after all of itself and others, because there is immeasurable value in those things, these are the things that are being broken.

The sound that is rising is from those that recognise that nobody has the right to break those things.

P Bridge

Caradon Walk

A real bag for life

What a wonderful piece of journalism by Daniel Angelini who wrote a tribute to specialist nurse Judy Pullen who retired from the GWH after 50 years service.

As one of Judy’s stoma patients I can say with confidence that her team of dedicated nurses make a huge difference to the lives of their charges. We certainly had a laugh or two, especially when I suggested M&S gave a bag for life, whereas the stoma nurses gave a bag for a life. Something everyone with a stoma will acknowledge.

Des Morgan

Caraway Drive

Swindon

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