Letters

We need to work together to end pandemic

I was very heartened this morning to read that sniffable covid vaccines will shortly be available and only needs a fifth of the dose used in an injection. I think the one good thing that has come out of covid and should be urgently identified is that we need each other more than ever to combat sickness, hunger, wars and discrimination. We all need each other more than ever to combat these issues especially climate change and the only way we will achieve this is by global cooperation. P. P. Sweeney Gillingham

n I cannot believe how an employee of Blandford post office could get away with taking a customer’s paper driving licence (Letters, June 23). You just do not go and take something and then not give it back when asked. It is appalling behaviour. I do hope she made a complaint and received her old paper licence back. Talk about a throwaway society. Name and address supplied

n It was marvellous to see so many people at Sherborne Station last month for the fleeting visit of a Merchant Navy steam locomotive. On Wednesday, August 18 another of the class, Clan Line, will visit the Blackmore Vale. It should arrive at Sherborne by 13.00 whereupon the passengers will disembark and the loco will then proceed to Yeovil Junction Steam Centre for three hours before returning to Sherborne around 16.50 for passengers to re-embark. Besides stopping at Sherborne and Yeovil, it is likely to pause at Gillingham for a few minutes to allow a train to pass. To see the loco travelling at speed, I recommend Templecombe Station. Mike Bignell Sherborne

n I read this article in the Blackmore Vale (Blandford paving, NBV July 9) with some interest, particularly the claim of increased efficiency. We have lived near Shaftesbury for some

Cartoon by Lyndon Wall justsocaricatures .co.uk

10 years and have been particularly impressed by the waste disposal services, both collections and the tip. Staff have been most helpful. However since the new system our garden waste collection has been missed on two occasions out of three. The online reporting system worked the first time but I have had to pursue the latest. Hopefully teething problems and hope that we can return to the previous level of efficiency soon. David Dodd West Melbury

n Despite the traffic problems in the South West going back many years we don’t see our government giving much thought to our concerns. In Dorset, for example, we have the daily farce of HGVs trundling along both the A350 and the C13 through villages with houses right to the road’s edge with no pavements. These are main traffic routes in and out of Poole for European lorries. We also have caravans and large motorhomes traveling to holiday destinations. We have many cyclists and horses. We have many elderly drivers pottering along with their shopping or visits to the post office. On many of our roads we also have dog walkers or hikers. So despite our roads being very busy we don’t see our councils improving safety or flow. Yet as residents of the South West we see billions being spent on HS2 and smart motorways despite much of the country being up in arms over their existence and continued spending. Is it a case that politicians don’t see the South West as important enough for spending for a solution it so drastically needs? Nick Smith Blandford Forum

n Thank you for the lovely write up and photograph of Vera when she was 100 years old. She was thrilled to see herself in the New Blackmore Vale. It has been read by her family in various parts of England and even in America. She had a wonderful day, Waitrose sent her a bouquet of flowers and your article followed by a surprise party, not to mention the card from the Queen.

The police sent her a policeman’s whistle too. Thank you once again. Eileen Richards

n Please may I use your columns to say a huge ‘thank you’ to the children, parents and teachers at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Marnhull, who supported the ice lolly stall organised by Evie Oborne in aid of Blackmore Vale RDA (Riding for the Disabled). They raised £95, which was fantastic & very much appreciated by the group Tessa Woodhouse Blackmore Vale RDA

n I read with interest John S. Elce’s letter in the BVM last week regarding our recent waste round changes. To be clear, much more has happened than just changing bin collection days. We have completely redesigned the way we collect waste in North Dorset, using different vehicles and our crews can now complete the rounds more efficiently, reduce the journey distance of the waste we collect and provide a more reliable service overall – it’s not just about saving money. The new split compartment vehicles can collect glass and recycling in the same vehicle and food waste in another, thus making use of cheaper, more reliable vehicles. Coupled with our forthcoming plans for the new Blandford Waste Management Centre, we’re very proud of our waste services in North Dorset. A breakdown of how your council tax is spent can be found on our website, but it’s worth noting that less than 10% of our annual budget is spent on waste services and it remains the most appreciated council service, according to a recent customer survey. Dorset Councillor Jill Haynes, Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services