IT is, almost stranger than fiction, that this, so called, green and pleasant land is to become, according to the media/experts, drought ridden and subject to diminishing rainfall with hose pipe bans in prospect.

The news for many weeks now has shown poor rates in river flow, low water tables and fish being rescued by the environment agency at great public expense.

It seems beyond the wit of our society to reverse the trend, and to do almost nothing towards increasing the use of water gates, weirs, sluices, wells, ditches, mills and lock gates, or to make changes to existing and established water storage sites.

Volumes can be increased by removing cracked mud and silt from reservoirs, lakes and ponds.

These opportune times seem to pass us by time and time again. Till the next time, drought raises its spectre of food and cattle famine etc with more on food.

REG STONES Maple Close, Highcliffe, Christchurch