PLEASE keep your letters to 250 words maximum giving your name, address and daytime telephone number - even on emails. Email: letters@swindonadvertiser.co.uk. Write: Swindon Advertiser, 100 Victoria Road, Swindon, SN1 3BE. Phone: 01793 501806.

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Should know better

THE Daily Telegraph reported “Sobering statistic: drinking at an all-time low as teetotal takes off”.

It went on to say that the sobriquet “Boozy Britain” may soon have to be retired, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. Regular drinking is at its lowest level ever, coinciding with an increase in the number of people who identify as teetotal.

There are times when you have to put your head above the parapet so call me what you like but I am at odds with the Church of England allowing a beer festival to be held within its grounds.

Am I living in the Dark Ages or am I wrong that the Church has preached in the past: “Steer clear of the demon drink?” I also think most people can relate to the wise words “the devil is at the bottom of the glass” or “you can’t solve your problems with a drink as the devil can swim”.

It was stated that the proceeds of the event will go to charity. But don’t these charities help with many family breakdowns caused through alcohol, and also help homeless people with their addiction?

Promoting these beer festivals, the church may be of the view they are reaching out to people as never before. However, I think it sends out the wrong message and perhaps it would be cynical of me to mention “an innovating way of boosting the church coffers”.

Excessive drinking costs the NHS millions. That’s without all the heartache it brings.

I am not against drink. Going to the pub and having a drink in moderation with your friends does no harm.

Having got that off my chest I hope I haven’t given the impression I have lived a sheltered life. When I used to indulge in underage drinking my father gave me good advice: “I know what you are up to lad, but don’t ever let me catch you!” He never did, but it took me four decades before the penny dropped.

WILLIAM ABRAHAM, Rodbourne, Swindon

Foster carers needed

PLEASE would you allow a little space during Foster Care Fortnight (May 8-21) to mention people who are too often forgotten – children in care and the foster carers who do an astonishing job in transforming their lives?

Whilst we cannot tell you the names or show you pictures of the many children in care in this county, we can confirm that their numbers are increasing, and that the number of foster carers is not keeping pace.

We would therefore appeal to your readers to come forward. Almost anyone can apply to foster, provided they are aged over 25 and in generally good health.

At Community Foster Care (a not-for-profit agency), we provide free training for carers and 24-hour support every step of the way, as well as an allowance to cover the cost of looking after the children in their care. There are currently more than 400 children in care in Wiltshire – children who, through no fault of their own, need support, understanding and a safe place to be at a difficult time in their young lives.

Foster carers make a huge difference to their life chances, offering them the kind of stability they may have never known before, and enabling them to develop and grow.

It can be a hugely rewarding role and a life-changing experience – and hopefully one which many of your readers might wish to try. Visit www.communityfostercare.co.uk/ MATTHEW ROBERTS, Chief Executive, Community Foster Care, Royal Wootton Bassett

Don’t abuse free speech

GARY Lawrence is to be congratulated on his article (or was it an ‘Editorial’?) introducing the series on ‘Fake News’ (SA 3rd May) in which he outlines the ethics and code of conduct of good journalism – to which, I must say, our Adver measures up well. Sadly, I fear that some of his colleagues in the National Press, and many in other media such as TV and radio, fail to achieve such high standards!

Sadly also, too many politicians making pronouncements are “economical with the truth”, appear to put party politics ahead of principles, are selective in the use of statistics, and often seem to be ignorant of the facts!

Of course, as Gary Lawrence points out, the ‘new kid on the block’ – the social media – appears to be totally unfettered by present law and totally unprincipled. Thus, the people who use it are free to say what they like, how they like, and when they like – anonymously!

Like all new inventions, the social media can be used ‘for good or evil’. They have many positive uses. But, if we are not careful, they could infiltrate our society like a cancerous growth. They should be subject to the same laws of libel and ‘incitement to commit a crime’ as all other media.

We should all ‘think before we speak’; we should not ‘publish’ (in any forum) anything we would not be prepared to say ‘in public’, in an open meeting – or face to face with the object of any criticism. And we must all recognise that some sources of ‘facts’ are less reliable than others.

Sadly, too many politicians, and even some correspondents in the Letters column of the Adver, appear to be totally intolerant of any views or opinions that differ from their own. Personal insults and approbation now replace reasoned, polite, political debate of policies. We are fortunate to live in a country that allows free speech; so we must value and respect it – not abuse it. It was Voltaire who said: “I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”.

MALCOLM MORRISON, Prospect Hill, Swindon

Sign of the times?

I FREQUENTLY travel the M4 and over the last three or four weeks have noticed that the sign saying BOROUGH OF SWINDON has disappeared. Can someone tell me what has happened to it please? It always says Welcome Home to me after a long, or even a short, journey.

AUDREY HUNT, Swindon