How wonderful to see an older person recommending Couchsurfing - I was beginning to think I was the only 'mature' Couchsurfing host around! I became a member a year ago, assuming that only older travellers would want to stay with me....

Editor

I am against the proposals to let Drug companies to have the medical records. I see that he is looking to gamble with untrialled drugs on the most vulnerable as it could result in the sick being forced to take part in these trials or lose their benefits.

There has been make problems in releasing drugs which are not safe. Thalidomide is one that always comes back, but 5 years ago a voluntary drug trial had a severe impact on the volunteers.

We are hearing from Cameron about his care for women but nothing about the fate of the elderly who have saved for their old age and now see their savings halve every ten years and earn little interest in the meantime.

As for Mr Cameron's intentions to release our medical records to private companies, this can only have one purpose.  It is to make it easier for private companies to cherry pick the most lucrative parts of the NHS.   How can he possibly do this without our consent?  One answer is that he will try to change the law.

Terry Waite's column was timely and could have gone further still.

I refer to the popular music side. Unless other readers can correct me, I
feel abandoned by radio stations which do not cater for my generation, in
particular the BBC.

Dear Thomas,

I appreciated your uplifting comments in the face of much doom and gloom, especially reference to Remembrance Day which recalls the sacrifices made by the few for benefit of the many – which still happens today of course.

I thought perhaps my poem below would be appropriate for the season and highlights that things can change for the better.

Kind regards,

Bill Newham

                AUTUMN

Autumn leaves fluttering down