Shrewsbury's floral success, slavery debate and Brexit – readers' letters, plus M5 drama in 1997

Well done on floral displays

I write to congratulate Shrewsbury Town Council for their magnificent achievements at the recent Heart of England in Bloom Awards. They simply swept the board winning all four major competition categories.

I think the floral displays and the cleanliness of the town this year has been better than ever, and we must congratulate everyone in the Parks Department for their hard work in what has been a very difficult summer in horticulture due to the extreme dry weather. Shrewsbury has always been known throughout the county as the ‘Town of Flowers’, not only does it make us residents so proud it’s also a great attraction for all the people who come into Shrewsbury and spend money in the town. A big thank you to everyone concerned.

Tony Bywater MBE, Salop leisure Ltd

Give apology to chain makers

If there are going to be reparations and apologies from the powers that be, shouldn’t they start a little closer to home? Who actually benefitted from the horrors of slavery? My family and my ancestors and people like me certainly didn’t.

I probably emerged from what was known as peasant stock. The land grab known as the Enclosure made us more or less trespassers in our own country. Being from the Black Country we were later engaged in nail making and chain making. Working hours were arduous to say the least and the pay allowed for subsistence and nothing else. It was a hand to mouth existence. Accommodation was, shall we say ‘basic’ and proper medical care was beyond the pockets of most people. Child mortality was the norm and fathers - heads of family- were often forced, more often than not against their will, to leave their loved ones and to suffer and die in some war that they probably didn’t understand but were led to believe was their duty.

Slavery? These people had nothing to do with it, benefitted from it not a jot and were not far from the state of slavery themselves. Where are their reparations, where are the apologies to them?

Alan Jones, Midlands

Snake of Month

And the Political Snake of the Month Award goes to Rachel Reeves!

What is it with politicians? As soon as they lose power, they start saying what they really mean. The ex-Chancellor now declares the UK's best future lies within the EU, hence rejoining as soon as possible. As one EU minister was honest enough to say, they would welcome us back as, "We need the money!"

By all means, have a look at current trade deals, but keep away from political deals. It was called Brexit and we meant it. And as for getting saddled with the EU's freedom of movement, with all those porous EU borders, no thanks. The UK's borders are porous enough as it is.

Peter Steggles, Rushbury

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