In reply to Richard Pierce's letter of May 29, my dear Mr Pierce if you wish to fly off on your mythical dragon to consult with Alfred the Great, please feel free to do so.

I would rather keep my feet firmly on the ground in the 21st century.

Quite how having the chance to vote for a toothless Assembly is going to improve hope for the south west, you haven't bothered to say.

It really is obvious that you have not read the Government's White Paper at all. If you had you would know that the proposed regional assembly will have no jurisdiction with the Learning And Skills Council or with Regional Education Policy and will have no authority or influence with the region's NHS services.

SJ Eels

Castle Combe