Your views

IN response to an article you published last week, my writ to the High Court may have gone in for £250,000, but that is a bargaining figure to the MoD, who have already refused to pay out, which is why the case has gone to court.

Before he died it was my husband’s dearest wish to see me better provided for, and he thought the MoD would do the honourable thing when they were told the asbestos had turned to lung cancer and killed him, and give me another settlement which had been promised at the first court case. I just wouldn’t want all my many friends who read your very unwelcome article to think I’m going to be a rich woman.

My shock at reading the article was compounded by the fact that I had just come out of hospital having broken an Achilles tendon, and am in plaster for the next eight weeks.

CHRISTINE HODGE Address supplied

Shoppers thanked

THANKS to readers who shopped in Sainsbury’s during Farm Animal Week (June 18-24) and helped raise money for farm animals by choosing RSPCA Freedom Food labelled products – a whopping £31,600 was raised for the RSPCA after Sainsbury’s kindly donated 5p from every selected Freedom Food product bought in store during the week.

Generous shoppers also helped raise nearly £15,000 for cats, dogs and other animals, by making donations to the RSPCA outside many Sainsbury’s stores.

Please keep up the good work helping us to help animals.

RACHEL HORTON RSPCA regional representative

Tribute to our Horse

I WAS visiting my nephews in Trowbridge a few days ago. They took me to see the White Horse at Westbury.

On my return home to Sunderland I was thinking over my visit to the White Horse, it inspired me to write this short poem.

The White Horse at Westbury in Wiltshire, Is a wonderful sight to see.

Standing all alone on a hillside over looking the Wiltshire scenery.

Trowbridge and old Frome town are some of the towns you can see.

But this White Horse is quite content to stand and just be seen.

How it came to be here the stories are few.

Some say it came from out of space, Peter Mathews says it’s true.

It’s one of our Patrick’s betting tips, That’s came from out of space, Take my advice, don’t bet on it, Because it will never win a race.

WILF MATTHEWS, a Newent boy Primrose Crescent Fulwell, Sunderland

Soap box triumph

THANK you to the individuals and businesses that supported the Trowbridge Carnival Soap Box Derby.

The derby far exceeded our expectations this year with an entry list of nearly 40, from as far afield as Yorkshire and Surrey, on par with the major derbys in the UK. We also had massive support from local individuals and groups, such as the Westbury and Warminster Scouts who thrilled us with their amazing driving skills.

A big thank you goes to Hire Standards of Westbury, who have been our title supporter for the past two years, also The Toy Shop in Castle Street who have allowed us to use their car park every year, and the other businesses and residents of Castle Street who have shown their support.

Wessex Mead Rotary played a big part in the success of the day by helping with marshalling the course. Steve Thomas from Bromham brought along his high-tech soap box which has attained a speed of 70mph, a brave man indeed! High performance cars on display added an extra dimension, thanks to Graham Morland, Chas Riles and Suave Wine Bar for supplying them at the 11th hour.

To everyone that helped make the derby a huge success, thank you so much.

Thank you too to my fellow carnival committee members for working flat out all day without a break, and putting up with my moments of panic. It is this small band of independent volunteers (10 in all) that bring this event, and many others, to Trowbridge every year.

Our main event is of course the carnival procession on October 20 and this is where I need to make an appeal to the people of the BA14 area.

As I previously mentioned, carnival is organised by 10 volunteers: to enable the procession to happen every year we need people to help marshall the route for a few hours.

There are no special skills required to do this, you need to be over 16 years of age and have a responsible attitude. Bear in mind that voluntary work looks good on a CV.

For more information on how to help, contact Mrs Mantle (chairman) on 07866 698 278.

NIGEL HEMMENS Soap Box Derby Organiser Trowbridge Carnival Committee