Reader’s forecast: why a goat could improve TV weather predictions - your letters, plus a snapshot of a historic Wellington sports event

Getting the goat for a forecast

Uncle Norbert and I agree with recent letters that bemoan the lack of clarity in our weather forecasts, especially on the telly. The actual forecast has become secondary by talking about what has happened, what might happen in two weeks time and making every weather event sound like the apocalypse.

After serious scientific research, which involved gallons of tea, mountains of Aunt Dolly's Wonder Winter Cake and the back of several cornflake packets we have the answer! Get a goat to present the weather forecast.

For TV companies a goat will be much cheaper to employ, there will be no need to give the goat a wardrobe allowance and long term any roses planted around the TV studios will benefit. All the TV audience will need to help them through these animal forecasts are some simple guidelines.

For instance if Ermintrude the goat has her nose pointing to the South West then expect rain and if she sits down facing S.W. then expect heavy rain. Right up against a hedge facing North then expect cold weather and maybe snow. If she faces South or South East and sits down expect warm to hot dry weather. If she suddenly starts running around in circles, kicking out with her rear legs, jumping in the air, snorting and breaking wind ferociously then Labour has just won the next General Election and stormy days are ahead.

Peter Steggles, Rushbury

Wrong forecast is super-quick

To Doug James and his 'common sense' weather forecasts (Feb 4). One thing I have learned is that every time the Met Office invests billions in new supercomputer or satellite all that happens is that they get the wrong answer a lot faster. They have made such great progress they can now get the wrong forecast in milli-seconds.

Chris Smith, Horsehay

​So fed up with the flytippers

I buy the Star Monday to Friday and am sick and tired of reading about fly tippers. A fellow reader wrote in about fly tippers and he was spot on, he said when they are at court, fine them and crush their cars, vans and lorries.

Spend a bit of money on more cameras, I am sure it would deter a lot of fly tippers.

The trouble is MPs and councils are too weak and too slow to do anything that's any good.

Dave Fletcher, Midlands

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