DEAR Sir or Madam,

Starting a short holiday in Somerset and Devon, on day two I visited Taunton (Tuesday, September 3).

Looking for a coffee shop on North Street, I lost my footing when stepping into the road, and ended up kissing the pavement.

Half a dozen people stopped to help me to my feet, while bleeding from my forehead and nose.

Two ladies went into the branch of Barclays Bank, to ask if I could sit down – which was agreed – and two of the staff, Lucy and Roxanne, were wonderful in their compassion and first aid.

The two ladies who stopped in the street stayed with me for a few minutes, and despite my declining an ambulance, they persuaded me to agree to call one, which Barclays Bank staff duly did.

The crew arrived, assessed me, and because of my medical history persuaded me to allow them to take me to Musgrove Park Hospital for a check, where I was attended by the utmost professional staff (NHS, naturally) and after a short time, I was released with cuts, bruises, scrapes and a badly dented self-esteem.

May I profusely thank a number of people through your august publication?

The half a dozen or so local people who stopped to help or inquire – especially the two lovely ladies who stayed with me, Barclays Bank North St. branch, the ambulance crew, NSL parking for understanding and not ticketing my car, and the A&E department of Musgrove Park hospital.

It is many a long year since I have seen such concern, empathy and compassion from people, which can lead us to think it has all but disappeared. Not in Taunton it hasn't!

One of my favourite public figures, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, always refers to Somerset as “God's favourite county”. This (originally) Warwickshire lad can now see why.

Your most gratefully,

Steven W. Morson

Bromsgrove

Worcestershire.