'Something nudged me out the door and that decision may have saved my life' - Your Letters: June 9

This August, I’m inviting your readers to join me in supporting Breast Cancer Now’s Afternoon Tea fundraiser and raise a cuppa to the strength, resilience, and community behind every breast cancer story.

In the UK, every 10 minutes one woman hear the words, “You have breast cancer.” 

I was one of them at the end of 2021 after I nearly skipped my mammogram, but something nudged me out the door and that decision may have saved my life.

I was recalled after my appointment, diagnosed quickly, and underwent surgery and intraoperative radiotherapy and now I am getting on with life. 

While I feel a hiccup of fear when my annual mammogram appointment comes around, I’m immensely grateful that I was diagnosed when I was.

Last year I hosted an Afternoon Tea for Breast Cancer Now and served sandwiches, scones, and cakes including one baked in a tin shaped like a giant cupcake… or, if you squinted a bit, a breast! 

There were giggles, raffles, tea on tap, and most importantly, we raised vital funds to help ensure a future where anyone affected by this devastating disease lives and is supported to live well.

Hosting an Afternoon Tea might seem like a small act, but no matter how much you raise it adds up to something powerful. 

Breast Cancer Now funds life-saving research, provides life-changing support and continues to campaign for better treatment, care and earlier diagnoses for people affected by breast cancer. But they can’t do it alone.

So why not host your own Afternoon Tea this summer? Whether you go all out and invite everyone you know or keep it simple with just a few friends your cuppa could help change a life.

Sign up now for your fundraising kit with everything you need. 

We will give you recipes, bunting, posters and games at: breastcancernow.org/afternoon-tea or search Breast Cancer Now’s Afternoon Tea.

Charlotte Harrold, Breast Cancer Now

PUBS MUST ADAPT TO KEEP GOING

I very much appreciate the effort your newspapers at the Express & Star and Shropshire Star are putting into helping our hard-pressed pub businesses.

Unfortunately management of large brewing companies have never been the most innovative in developing new types of customers. The pubs stand empty for most of the day except lunchtime and evenings. At the same time McDonalds are open and busy serving food both in the cafe and the drive-through from 8am to 6pm and sometimes later in suitable locations.

The pubs continue to base most of their trade on supplying meals fit to satisfy the local rugby team or the lads off the building site with limited regard for the more modest preferences of the ladies.

McDonalds does a spicy chicken wrap with a small packet of fries which is just the sort of food which is suitable for people who lead busy lives and just want a modest though sustaining light meal. In addition those licensed eateries which have modernised themselves may well offer coffee and gateaux for around £8 to £10 which in a suitable location will attract a lot of trade in the afternoon. This could be extended to doing full afternoon teas which are a profitable option for the amount of food supplied.

It is unfortunate that so many pubs are closing, it is my opinion that this is creating more work for social services departments in line with the reduction of access to pubs as recreation space for the elderly.

Paul Brown, Sheffield

GET TOUGH WITH BAD DRIVERS

Anyone found to be driving on our roads without a licence, tax and insurance should automatically get a jail sentence. Anyone using a mobile phone while driving should get an automatic jail sentence.

We all know the dangers and outrageous stuff that is happening on our roads today. Why should we have to put up with idiots who think it's ok to endanger and take away our lives? Laws need to change, let's get serious and put a stop to our law breakers.

Judith Fisher, West Mids

WHAT MOTIVATES FARAGE VISITS?

Farage has visited Little Brexitshire saying to newly elected Reform councillors, 'I need you to perform well'. One assumes this refers not to governance in the dreary public interest by the out of touch elite but more enhance his reputation with a few publicity stunts; a vulnerable legacy based on 'pint glass platitudes and promises'. Is the aim of these visits to serve the electorate and support Reform councillors, or to avoid embarrassment next time he strides through Little Brexitshire in search of headlines and publicity?

If Farage and Reform UK rail against net-zero, diversity, equality and inclusion then is this policy-making or an attempt to return 'to the good old days' when 'Britain ruled the waves', and people did not ask questions?

Roger Norton, West Midlands

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