THANKS for the letter from Barrie Edmund-White (May 17) regarding the more friendly naming for the BCP “conurbation”.

I cannot agree more with what he says. So yes, Barrie, I support the fresh sound conurbation name of “Wessex City” – but, please read on, there may be a caveat.

Around 25 years ago, bureaucracy for merging the three BCP towns was well-advanced, and even a renaming challenge was offered.

Resulting from a discussion run, I believe, by the Echo at the time, a result was deemed ready for the formal merger of the towns, or councils. However, along the line, someone bottled the merger, and the plot was abandoned – for ever?

These days, a free forum for such a name would come up with something as absurd as Townie McTownFace!

How do I remember details so well? Well, now dwindling away for scrap jottings, I had reams of letterheads prepared in readiness for the change.

So, Barrie, can I offer the even better suiting and original choice of “Great Wessex City”. Only then I will be able to put the letterheads I prepared earlier to proper use.

DAVE PORTER

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