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Agreeing to disagree

BILL Williams makes the mistake of feeling that by disagreeing with Des Morgan one is attacking him (Stop being bad losers, August 2)

Des is a friend of mine and we disagree on many, if not most, political issues.

We write letters opposing each other’s views and I have been on his radio programme several times debating issues, mainly the EU of late. We have never attacked each other.

Bill also makes the mistake of believing that those who believe in the EU should stop supporting the EU as the referendum was won by the Brexiteers.

Does Bill support the Tory Party because they won the general election? Of course not.

Did Bill support the Blair Government because they won the General Election? Of course not.

Did Bill support our membership of the EU because of the referendum in 1972? Of course not.

In all these cases he campaigned against them and tried to get his party subsequently elected in the first two cases and a second referendum in the third.

He was quite rightly vociferous in doing so, as it was his democratic right.

Now, however, he wants me and other like-minded people to be robbed of our democratic right to bemoan the decision of the (slight) majority.

He also says it would be undemocratic to have a second referendum when that is precisely what he campaigned for and got, as the recent vote for Brexit was the second referendum.

Oddly enough, both Des and Bill are supporters of the unelected and undemocratic House of Lords who only yesterday were threatening to force the Government to hold another referendum.

STEVE THOMPSON

Norman Road, Swindon

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Welcome Sir Julian

I WELCOME the decision to make Britain’s Sir Julian King EU Commissioner in charge of security.

The announcement by Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker acknowledges the UK’s continuing lead role in security issues.

The terrorist threat is a global one. This shows that Britain’s expertise, co-operation and leadership on security matters will continue to be important post-Brexit, not just across Europe but across the world.

Our Royal Navy officers are leading the EU’s anti-piracy patrols which have been so successful off the Horn of Africa, and Britain’s Rob Wainwright is director of Europol.

Sir Julian’s CV is a prime example of Britain’s track record.

It covers the UN Security Council, NATO and a spell as Chairman of the EU’s Political and Security Committee.

I hope continued co-operation on security will be at the heart of the Brexit negotiation.

Sir Julian is currently Britain’s ambassador to France.

If confirmed in the EU post, he will replace Lord Hill, the former Financial Services Commissioner, who resigned after the Brexit vote.

JULIE GIRLING

MEP for the South West and Gibraltar

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Give them a chance

CAN I through the letters page of the Adver say how impressed I was with the brilliant staff at The South Marston Hotel, at a time in their lives when the devastation of losing a job could have rendered a negative attitude towards the world.

The action of these staff is remarkable to give up their own time and not let the wedding party down is just fantastic. And we, as a town, should be very proud that we have those people in our midst.

I would urge any local employers looking to hire anyone right now to look no further than these loyal and obviously dedicated band of people and give them a much deserved chance.

Too often we see reported attitudes and incidents completely opposite to the ones shown, good on you all and well done.

KEVIN EDMONDS

Covingham, Swindon

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Remember true friends

IT IS sad to know that now we have decided to leave the EU a certain amount of anti-European feeling has started to rear its ugly head.

In this area most of the Europeans we come into contact with are Polish, many of whom have lived here since the last war and are completely integrated with the Wiltshire population.

We declared war on Germany because of their invasion of Poland, but after six years of war Poland had still not been liberated. Of the Western nations, Poland was the only one which did not surrender. Many Poles fought and died with our forces and their support at that time was in stark contrast to the actions of our ‘allies’ in the Falklands conflict – the French supplied Argentina with Exocet missiles and the technicians to service them and the Belgians refused to sell us ammunition.

It is salutary to remember who your true friends are.

GEOFFREY RICHARDS

Ashton Road, Hilperton

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Call-out to all bakers

BEATING Bowel Cancer is looking for budding bakers throughout Wiltshire to help beat the UK’s second biggest cancer killer.

The charity want volunteers to whip up cakes or biscuits for a bake sale fundraiser at work, home, social club or sports club.

Beating Bowel Cancer aims to raise £10,000 towards its Hidden Heartache appeal, so they can support more patients and families.

The money could cover the cost of the charity’s nurse helpline for three months, which could support more than 600 bowel cancer patients, families and friends.

The good news is that bowel cancer can be successfully treated in more than 90 per cent of cases if caught early.

Pete Tarrant; Community Fundraiser South England, Bath and Bristol for Beating Bowel Cancer said “fundraising support is vital to the work that we do; participation in Bake It 2 Beat can make a real difference to patients and their families”

Supporters can get started with the Bake It 2 Beat It Challenge by contacting the charity for a fundraising pack, which includes exclusive Beating Bowel Cancer cake toppers, at bakeit@beatingbowelcancer.org

And don’t forget to share your baking creations on Facebook and Twitter and tag @bowelcancer #BakeIt2BeatIt

For more information about bowel cancer, visit beatingbowelcancer.org.

Or if you have any questions about bowel cancer, you can call the charity’s Helpline nurses, on 020 8973 0011 or email nurse@beatingbowelcancer.org.

PETE TARRANT

Community fundraiser

Beating Bowel Cancer

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Charity peak challenge

THE country’s biggest meningitis charity is looking for outdoor enthusiasts to join it on a challenging trek to conquer eight Lake District peaks in two days of walking.

Meningitis Now’s Lake District Challenge takes on the eight peaks in the national park that rise above 3,000 feet, including Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England.

“This is not a challenge for the faint-hearted and will push walkers to their limits,” said Lydia Reed, event organiser at Meningitis Now. “By offering spectacular views wrapped up in a serious adventure, it promises you a weekend you’ll never forget.

“Those taking part will achieve an enormous amount of satisfaction from completing the challenge and helping us in our fight to conquer meningitis.”

The Lake District Challenge route is about 20 miles, with a total walking time of some 18 hours.

“Whilst this challenge is not designed with specialist trekkers in mind and participants will vary in fitness levels, it is a real physical challenge and will require energy, commitment, a positive attitude and dedication to training,” Lydia added.

“It’s suitable for individuals and groups and the perfect opportunity to get your friends, family or colleagues involved.”

The trek takes place between October 6 and 9 and people need to pay a registration fee of £75 and raise a minimum sponsorship of £500.

In return Meningitis Now’s events team takes care of all travel between the peaks, food and accommodation arrangements and is on hand to help with fundraising ideas and fitness and training tips.

Those taking part also get to enjoy a training camp before the trek.

“We’d love you to join us and make a real difference in our fight against meningitis,” Lydia added. “Our support takes care of everything and leaves you free to concentrate on walking, enjoying the breath-taking scenery and completing the challenge.”

All proceeds go towards the charity’s work fighting meningitis through vaccine and preventative research, raising awareness and supporting individuals and families fighting back from the disease.

Visit www.meningitisnow.org/support-us/featured-events/lake-district-challenge/ or phone 0345 120 4530.

MENINGITIS NOW

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Pulling together

AS A young man in the 1970s I voted to join the Common Market.

At the time my motives were to avoid any more wars in Europe. As such, I think I made a good decision.

When we were once again asked to vote in or out of Europe, my feelings were mixed, but not strong enough to vote either way.

As I am now nearly 50 years older, the more conservative side of me (with a small ‘c’) said “don’t rock the boat” even though the sceptical side of me said “What I originally voted for was not a huge European state.”

Nevertheless, as I rapidly approached my seventh decade, I realised that whichever way I voted, it would make very little difference to me, and so I asked my children which way they wished me to vote, and I voted accordingly.

We have voted as a democratic nation to leave the EU. Whatever you think of the result, we live in a democracy.

To paraphrase Churchill, “Democracy ain’t perfect, but it’s the best system we’ve got.”

During the Brexit election campaign we heard lies, damned lies, and statistics from both sides.

Now is the time to stop carping. As a nation we have made a decision.

Like it or lump it there is no going back, so let’s all pull together and support our country as best we can.

PETER FLETCHER

Kempsfield

Devizes

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Preserve our history

WEST Kennett is a wonderful village within the internationally known Avebury stone circle.

It is also a regional headquarters of the National Trust.

How is it that the buildings of the Kennet Brewery, an almost complete survival of the early 19th Century brewing industry, are allowed to decay?

There is also a Grade II-listed dovecote behind the National Trust’s offices in a similar state of dereliction.

As the owner of the buildings could the National Trust give some assurance that a plan is in place for their preservation?

MICHAEL GRAY

St John’s Alley

Devizes