'Reader calls for national prostate cancer screening to save lives' - Your Letters plus 1982 Christmas concert memories from Charlton School in our picture from the archive

Prostate tests must happen

There’s no getting away from it - no screening programme means the only way thousands of men will find out they have prostate cancer is by total chance.

For far too many the news will come already too late. This is 2025. Medical science supporting our NHS can prevent this from happening.

Screening is safe, accurate and effective for every man.

Look at the thousands of woman saved through treatment after screening for breast and cervical cancer revealed the need for health interventions.

Treatment programmes for men with prostate cancer and early diagnosis provide clear evidence that 80/90% survive following treatment programmes. Many men receive annual checks for diabetes, heart and blood pressures, cancer, bowel disease. Why not prostate cancer?

Investing in men’s health is better than leaving the cruel 'finger of fate' to be the only determinant of a mans life prospects.

Our NHS must think again and commence a national screening programme for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer doesn't wait. Neither can we.

It’s time to introduce prevention and science over out dated and ineffective GP visits and procedures or insecure men’s self doubts.

Doug James, Midlands

Our town looks just wonderful

Another year comes to an end, and we find our wonderful town in good shape. The Christmas lights again look fantastic and are appreciated by everyone. 

As Telford & Wrekin borough councillor for the West Ward, I love to see our High Street so vibrant. 

My sincere thanks to everyone who has engaged with me in the year. I hope I have met your expectations. Thank you to all of our excellent volunteers who have done so much for Newport. Your work is appreciated.

Our community spirit is something we can all be proud of. Newport continues to be the jewel in Telford and Wrekin’s crown!

I would like to wish everyone in the Newport area a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Cllr Peter Scott, Newport West

Thank-you from the Dog’s Trust

As the festive season approaches and another year comes to a close, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone in Shropshire and Mid Wales who has supported Dogs Trust over the last 12 months. With your support, we have made a vital difference to the thousands of dogs who needed our help.

The pressure on the animal welfare sector continues, and this year, we received more than 40,000 enquiries from owners who felt they had no choice but to give up their dog. As a dog owner myself, I know how devastating a decision like that can be, which is why we do all we can to keep dogs and their owners together, including providing support to thousands of dog owners through our Behaviour Support Line.Despite the challenges, we have also seen incredible kindness from our nation of dog lovers. With your help, almost 10,000 dogs of all ages and breeds found new homes, including 440 puppies born in our care. Throughout their stay, our dedicated staff ensured every dog was safe, comfortable and loved.

We are very grateful to our incredible volunteers, whose time and dedication make all the difference, whether through fostering, dog walking, administrative support, or inspiring fundraising efforts. And of course, our sincere thanks go to everyone who has donated to Dogs Trust. We simply couldn’t do our work without you.

Owen Sharp, Dogs Trust

Christmas poem

There is Christmas beyond this Christmas

And Christmas beyond that

And then a Christmas beyond that Christmas

And yes, another beyond that!

And then a Christmas beyond that Christmas

And a Christmas beyond that one

And even a Christmas beyond that Christmas And so on and so on and so on;

Until we come to a a time of silence;

Before humankind held the power of light

And when the sun lit up the daytime

And the moon and the stars they lit the night

And the land was free from urban sprawl

No blaring screens, no global franchise

And The Nativity still lay at the centre of it all

And not Sainsbury’s, Tesco or Waitrose!

Alan Jones, Midlands

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