EARLIER this month all the national papers carried a half page photograph of Cecil the lion that had been shot dead in Zimbabwe and calling for the arrest of the dentist that shot him. As there are a large number of lions roaming wild in that country I could not see the seriousness of the situation and I believe that the only safe place for a lion was in Bristol zoo. The next day they carried a photograph of a hunter carrying a gun and referred to it as the ‘glorious twelfth’. Twelfth of August being the opening of the grouse-shooting season.

Front page news?

Inside on the top corner of page five measuring 2 ins. by 5 ins. and in small print it was reported that eight hundred people of varying ages from babies had left their homeland because of trouble and the danger to their lives in search of a better life. They knew the risk and uncertainty they were taking, but felt it offered them a better future for them and their families than what they left behind.

They also knew the dangers and uncertainty travelling on a boat that was too small to carry eight hundred people.

When they reached land after a dangerous crossing two hundred had drowned. When some of them arrived at Calais to cross to the UK, they hear that the British government is planning to erect a high fence to stop their entry to Britain.

I do accept that we are a very densely populated island and in their and our interest are unable to allow them here. However we claim to be Christian nation and therefore we must do all in our power to help these misplaced people in cooperation with other nations.

improve the environment in their homeland so that they are not attracted to risk their lives in desperation travelling to the unknown. We must admit that there is no simple answer, to do nothing is not an option.

SIR ERIC HOWELLS CBE

Llanddewi Velfrey