EVEN the current weather freeze has its ‘up’ side.

In a world that increasingly celebrates individuals for no better reason than that they have a pretty face or a fast-and-loose mouth and where material reward is accorded to those with no more useful skill than sitting at the end of a telephone moving money around, it is a pleasure to see the upsurge in recognition of true public service – the people that keep our ambulances, fire engines and gritting services running.

Although it would be wrong to single out any particular group or individual, could I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the postman and his standins who have kept mail flowing to the isolated area of Clifford.

COLIN THUNHURST, Clifford, Herefordshire.