This week's letters are on the theme of Harvest, microchipping cats and protecting our green belts.

Look beyond the actual word Harvest to find much more

At this Harvest time many of our churches are full of beautiful flowers and tremendous displays of seasonal produce and vibrant flowers.

They are also full of tins and packets of goods donated by people for our local foodbanks and their vital work in the community. In our Harvest services this year, at my church of All Saints Wokingham, we were reflecting on the word HARVEST and some of the words that can be extracted from it, using its letters.

Apparently, there are over 190 words that can be found, needless to say I have not identified them all! But some of these words remind us of important Harvest messages.

We are to treasure the EARTH that gives us good things to EAT and to celebrate all that we HAVE, as one congregation member pointed out – we have a RAVE! But Harvest is also a time to remember those who have little, those who can STARVE when crops fail, when resources are not fairly distributed and when circumstances go against them. The need for our local foodbanks demonstrates that this is also a problem in our own communities and I’ve learnt that very often it is just a string of unfortunate circumstances or bad luck that leaves people struggling to feed themselves and their families.

So we are reminded that if we SHARE what we have, there will be enough for all and no one will go without.

This Harvest time, we can look within the word itself to find many important messages reminding us to be thankful for all that we have and to remember and seek to help those who are not so fortunate.

Revd Hannah Higginson, Associate Priest at All Saints Wokingham

Please sign cat microchipping petition

CATS are much-loved pets, yet many of your readers may be surprised to learn that they do not have the same level of protection as dogs when it comes to microchipping.

While microchipping is compulsory for dogs, there are no such laws for cats, and this means many lost or injured cats are not able to be reunited with their owners. Being independent and curious, cats are more likely than dogs to roam and get lost far from home.

Cats Protection has launched a petition calling on the government to bring in laws to ensure that all owned cats across the UK are microchipped. Microchipping is a safe and permanent method of identification, unlike collars which are prone to coming off.

By ensuring all owned cats are microchipped, owners will have the peace of mind of knowing their cat has the best chance of being returned home should they become lost. In the sad event a cat has been killed on the roads, the details on their microchip can also ensure their owner can be informed.

We welcome Labour’s Animal Welfare Manifesto, stating its intention to expand mandatory microchipping for cats, and the Government’s Animal Welfare Action plan committing to a consultation on cat microchipping.

Cat lovers can show their support for compulsory micrcochipping of owned cats, and help more cats be reunited with their owners, by signing Cats Protection’s petition at www.cats.org.uk/microchippingpetition

Jacqui Cuff

Head of Advocacy & Government Relations

Don’t squander our Green Belt

CPRE, the countryside charity, has launched a new report this week (14 October) called ‘Space to Breathe, A State of the Green Belt report’, which highlights the importance of countryside near where we live and the need to enhance it for this and future generations.

Green Belts are the countryside next door for more than 30 million people. They give people in our cities and towns space to breathe and are vital for wildlife and communities to thrive. Escaping from urban life into the tranquil countryside improves our health, boosts our mood, and gives us pause to reflect on the world around us.

The report highlights the shocking proposals for building more than 250,000 homes in the Green Belt, most of which will be unaffordable. We must not squander this valuable asset at a time when it is needed for our own health and wellbeing, and to address the climate emergency, more than ever before. Other, better, solutions to the housing crisis exist, including building homes on previously developed ‘brownfield’ land.

Crispin Truman, Chief Executive, CPRE, the countryside charity