Postal chaos: Reader calls for answers after Christmas gap - your letters, plus a royal smile from the archives

Royal Mail is not delivering​

How many people are having problems with letter deliveries? I had my first delivery on January 15 since Christmas.

This I find is unacceptable. I know of people who have missed hospital appointments because of non-delivery.

There is no-one to offer any explanations. I tried the Post Office for advice who said they could not help they had no contact details. I've tried sending an e-mail but no one answers, I've tried calling customer services but are told the wait time would be at least 30 minutes.

When you consider the cost of postage stamps this service is diabolical.

Anyone out there got any advice I would to hear it.

Carol Southall, Dudley

Council role in Villa debacle

Amid the controversy over the decision to ban supporters of Israel football supporters from a match at Villa Park, the focus is on the WM police with no questioning of Birmingham City Council’s role in the affair. This is surprising given the decision to ban the supporters was formally taken by a committee of the city council taking into account police advice. The police have to take responsibility for their part in the affair, but surely so do others including the city council.

George Morran, Woodsetton

Fears of city antisemitism

As the parent of a Jewish student considering university in Birmingham, I am saddened – although not entirely surprised — to learn police had intelligence indicating that a gang of residents were planning to attack Maccabi Tel Aviv fans before the match against Aston Villa. I also understand that there is a significant and intimidating presence in the city. It is deeply troubling that, in today’s Britain, I have to think about levels of antisemitism when choosing a university for my daughter.

Name and address supplied

Jenrick should not be lauded

Robert Jenrick's name has been much in the news lately.

Well he's defected from the Conservative and Unionist Party to Reform.

A right wing hero following a heroic path.

Jenrick was the creature who while a minister in the Home Office ordered the removal of welcoming murals from child immigration centres.

Orphans, often traumatised by war, famine and persecution who had crossed continents alone and at the mercy of human traffickers.

Jenrick decreed that the centres should be subject to the full austerity and dehumanisation of the centres.

It seems to me that the architect of this monstrous act does not merit recognition as a human being.

Not even in Reform.

Francis Biard, Stafford

Ghosts seen at old station

I believe it was in November 2025 that Brierley Hill Police Station closed and moved to Dudley and Merry Hill.

Since then when going past this once well used building by the public I see regularly the ghosts of police cars waiting in the bays and what looks like the shadowy figures of police officers either sitting in these cars or moving around the stationary vehicles and sometimes I see blue lights being flickered on and off as though they are being tested.

I have even seen these cars move with blue lights going and tearing off to some emergency.

Oh yes, since this once well used station was closed for financial reasons the ghosts of men, women, and vehicles are regularly seen. I guess you just can't keep a good station down or are all these cars and officers AI to make us think we have officers all around us? Well at a closed police station anyway! Has anyone else noticed this very strange phenomenon at this location where the public can't go anymore?

Pete Lowe, Brierley Hill

What’s happenin’ to our towns?

Heading into town

‘What’s happenin’?

Where the cafes, coffee bars?

Where the rock n roll, the jazz?

Where the cool cats, where the hipsters

Where the po-et-ery readings?

Where the happenings man?

Where the chicks?

Were the crazy prophets?

Where the street corner smoking beats

Hands a pockets, diggin’ the streets?’

‘Well o dow know about any a that mo mon

But ween gorra Gregg’s’ an thez a fyew charity shaps.’

Alan Jones, Halesowen

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