Chris and Pauline Sampson, of Chapel Street, Ermington, writes:

The brief letter from Waly Boemclas voiced something that we have long wondered about. What impels people living within a village or town to choose industrial-grade petrol driven machinery, with the loudest decibel count, noxious fumes etc? In addition to lawn mowers, there are leaf-blowers what a pointless machine, chain saws, tree shredders, power washers, log-splitters, strimmers, all of which are often used daily. Quieter electrical or manual tools can cope quite easily with any average garden task, while providing good exercise. These are far more sustainable and kinder to the ears of all the living creatures in our gardens.