Our MP's Letter from Westminster in The Shuttle seemed to end on the idea that the current energy cost crisis was actually Tony Blair’s fault. Is our MP aware there has been a Conservative Government ever since 2010?

The letter left me speechless, but it has inspired me to write a limerick:

You'll be having energy price fear

Though we've been in power for 12 year

Up sludge creek with no paddle

Our leader's out the saddle

Let's blame Blair for not going nuclear!

Clive Wood

Give with a clear conscience 

In recent issues of the Shuttle there have been several articles about good people fundraising for various charities connected with health and medical research.

Everybody wants to see medical progress, but an increasing number of people are refraining from donating to such charities, because they fear their money will be used to fund animal experiments.

Some of these charities do fund animal tests, but many do not, so it is possible for people to donate to health and research charities without fear that their money will be used to harm animals.

Instead of not giving to any health charities, members of the public can find out whether or not such charities fund animal experiments by consulting a list put together by animal protection group Animal Aid, which can be found at animalaid.org.uk/health-charities

Maggie Blackley

Bus cash a waste

I have read in this week's Shuttle, 18th August, that the county council has given significant extra funding to Diamond Bus Company.

Why? Recently the county council asked pensioners with bus passes to use the bus and help keep the bus company going, I think it is pretty clear that if people are prepared to pay high fuel costs and use their car or taxi rather than travel for free on the bus that they have no trust or faith in Diamond buses.

I use my bus pass in other counties like Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Leicester and Birmingham.

Instead of wasting council tax payers money on a bus company resident's do not want I think the county council should be negotiating a contract with a company that provides service to county's where the residents are happy with the service and they are well used. I think there is a phrase that states the definition of an idiot is somebody who keeps doing the same thing and expecting a different result.

Paul Dakin

Appeal for toys

We, Kidderminster & District Lions Club, have raised funds with soft toys which have been donated to us, recycling in action! The funds raised have enabled us to support 3 local foodbanks, Women's Aid Refuge and children going into care. Our latest donation has been to Baby Lifeline Ukrainian appeal. This organisation supplies backpacks which contain sterile materials to assist mothers going into labour in cellars & other non-sterile situations.

We still have opportunities to fund raise this season and would appreciate you supplying us with your unwanted soft toys.

If there are any of you reading this who would like to help please get in touch. We also do other service activities, collecting used spectacles for recycling to Third World Countries, recycling pill blister packs, aluminium foil and bottle tops. Ladies, bras are also recycled

Please get in touch, hopefully with soft toys and offers of help.

Linda Cross, Secretary of Kidderminster & District Lions Club.