Anonymity is granted only at the discretion of the editor, who also reserves the right to edit letters.

Homes open doors

From Saturday, June 10 to Sunday June 18, many Abbeyfield homes across Swindon will be opening their doors to local people and inviting them in to celebrate Abbeyfield Week and National Care Home Open Day.

The idea behind Abbeyfield Week is to show local people what excellent elderly care is really about.

How homes can be at the centre of local communities and how they can help to develop relationships across the generations.

Our theme this year is the Great British Garden Party, and we’re hoping that the weather stays nice so we can all enjoy the beautiful open spaces at our Abbeyfield houses.

It’s a great chance for older people who are considering moving in to care, or those whose parents may be in need of additional care, to see the quality of care and facilities at local care homes.

The Abbeyfield Society, a charity providing residential care and housing support to older people, will be delighted to welcome local people in to our homes from June 10 to spend time with residents, meet the staff and to get involved with the events and activities taking place.

Please don’t be shy, come in for a cup of tea and say hello.

DOUGLAS WEBB, Interim Chief Executive, The Abbeyfield Society

Meet old shipmates

THANK you again, local newspapers, like this one, for printing my letters about reuniting those who have served together in the Royal Navy.

My letters are often cut out and sent to someone who has served: ‘My niece saw your letter and sent it to me’.

Many are missing the camaraderie of those who served in the Royal Navy, such as the eight already found from HMS Raleigh; 23 Entry Benbow Division, 2nd June 1980.

And may people say:‘I wish I could relive some of it’ - well, this can be done in the form of an RN Shipmates Reunion to be held over the weekend of Friday, April 21 to Monday 24 in the Midlands.

This includes a coach tour over the weekend and, of course, a Tot Issue.

Wives and partners are welcomed too. There is no association or annual subscription, just come and ‘Swing the Lamp’ and find old shipmates.

Contact me for reunion details on mike.crowe1@btinternet.com or at 7 Heath Road, Lake, Sandown, Isle of Wight. PO36 8PG (A stamp will help the pension if writing to me for reunion details!)

The next move towards finding your old shipmate is yours. Do it now.

MIKE CROWE, Heath Road, Sandown, Isle of Wight

Thanks for your help

MAY I thank all those across Dorset and Wiltshire who contributed to the Diocese of Salisbury’s Lent Appeal for emergency aid for South Sudan.

The total raised exceeded £82,000, and is being used by Christian Aid as part of the Disaster Emergency Committee’s response to famine in that country.

It was an extraordinarily generous response that will save lives and help build sustainability for the future.

In fact Lent gifts from the diocese to South Sudan exceeded £115,000, thanks to other local initiatives in a country where the churches are almost the only hope for building civil society.

Generous giving is not all one way. We receive greatly from this international link and we also learn that being generous is part of what it is to be human. Thank you to everyone who contributed.

On Sunday June 18, from 2pm to 5pm, my wife and I would be pleased to welcome as many as can come to our home, South Canonry in Salisbury’s Cathedral Close, for the annual summer fete for the Medical Link for the South Sudan.

THE RT REV NICHOLAS HOLTAM, Bishop of Salisbury

One important word

IN MY recent letter regarding the execution of jihadists I omitted a very important word which I did include in previous correspondence.

It was the word ‘alleged’ and it’s use does change the context of my opinion.

However, let me absolutely clear that I support 100 per cent the shooting by the police of the terrorists who murdered innocent people in London last weekend.

There is no question whatsoever that they were terrorists, they had done harm and they were intent on causing further harm to people, as such the word ‘alleged’ cannot and does not apply to them.

They received their just desserts; whereas what David Cameron did was order the execution of a British citizen resident in Syria who in the then PM’s words “may have represented a threat.”

There is a significant difference between an alleged jihadist and an actual jihadist, one deserves to die while the other needs have the case against him proven.

DES MORGAN, Caraway Drive, Swindon

Question and answer

AS WE face the political media deluge of election perhaps it is time to attempt to bring a bit of humour to these pages.

Jimmy from Glasgow wins a scholarship to St Andrew’s University. On the first day the teacher says to the class: “We will have a quick general knowledge test. Who said, ‘That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind?’”

Before Jimmy could reply a posh lad with a plummy English accent replied: “Neil Armstrong on the first moon landing 1969.”

The teacher then asked: “Who said, ‘We will fight them on the beaches we will never surrender’?

As Jimmy went to answer another posh lad with an English accent replied: ‘Winston Churchill , the Battle of Britain speech 1941.

Simmering with anger, Jimmy shouted out in frustration: “Where did all these Englishmen come from ?

Angrily the teacher demanded: “Who said that?”

As wee Jimmy headed for the door he replied: “Bonnie Prince Charlie, the battle of Culloden, 1746.”

BILL WILLIAMS, Merlin Way, Covingham, Swindon