Dear People,

I am a seagull.

In fact, I am a herring gull, but I cannot expect you to be able to tell gulls apart, when I know that there are actually human beings that some of you think all look alike.

The reason I am writing is to see if we might explore the possibility of improving relations between you and us.

I confess, I am not unduly optimistic about this, in the light of certain unsympathetic letters to the Echo over recent times. But seagulls have been here at least as long as people, so we really ought to be able to find a way of getting on together. I and my wife were born here and have lived here for 20 years, which is a good deal longer than some of your anti-gull correspondents.

Yes, I accept that seagulls can sometimes be rather boisterous; but no more, I think, than the frequent gatherings of young people on the north harbourside – and surely no noisier than the helicopters that fly around here morning, noon and night.

Finally, allow me please to point out that the coronavirus lockdown had an adverse effect on us seagulls as well as on you people. For month after month the absence of visitors meant that we were deprived of burgers and fried chicken and chips and ice cream and all manner of other delights. As these appear to be your favourite foods as well as ours, can we accept that we have a common heritage?

From Jeremy Livingstone Seagull (Grandson of Jonathan) as dictated to and submitted by:

Michael Wheller

Wyke Regis