How is genuine curse identified?

Following your issue of July 21, a few items tempt me to take upmy pen.

I imagine Mr Hill of the Gauntlet will sleep easier following DrLiz Williams' assurance that the curse on him is not a genuinewitch's curse.

This begs the question - how is a genuine one identified? Have wewitches' covens in Glastonbury? Does her doctorate lend somecredence and authority to her statement?

Mind you, a few covens would add a further attraction to the"abbey theme park", although there would be a conflict of beliefs. Amock trial and burning at the stake, or dunking in the abbey pondcould draw in the tourists.

I welcome Sergeant French to his new post, but am interested inhow he is to introduce "old fashioned policing". Has he read up onRobert Peel, viewed old Dixon of Dock Green films, or had longdiscussions with the older generations? Unfortunately the "do-gooders" have outlawed the "grip on the ear" with a dressing downfor minor offences, rendering instant justice, dispensing withpaperwork and court time and no doubt in many cases nipping in thebud a career in crime.

Your article on the bunker took me back to my days as a civildefence member, where we were trained to combat the after-effects ofan atom bomb attack during the Cold War. I visited such a bunker inYeovil - immediately on the left as you turned towards Dorchester.The last time I was near there a copse had overgrown it, but nodoubt it still exists.

I still have my calculator for measuring the number of deaths andcollateral damage from the epicentre.

Looking back it seemed so futile, but I suppose the Governmenthad to be seen to be doing something. The cartoon story book, WhenThe Wind Blows, summed it up.

Finally, not relating to your paper - I think Glastonbury BoroughCouncil should have words with the BBC. "Glastonbury" is nowsynonymous with wet muddy weather, according to one weatherforecaster who intimated wellies and umbrellas would be needed.

We all know it always rains in Manchester, except the odd day atOld Trafford. The benefit, if any, of being mistaken for Pilton, maybe eroded if tourists think Glastonbury is always wet.

F N Carling

Pike Close

Glastonbury