Laurence Parkinson, of Southville Gardens, Kings­bridge, writes:

In response to Mike Hutchins’ letter, Gazette, April 15, having lived down here for more than 20 years – a former grockle now living locally – I would like to say, what an absolute load of PC rubbish.

As I understand it, the term ‘grockle’, or the Cornish ‘emmet’, is purely descriptive and relates to locals’ observation of those happy times when the those in the major cities of the UK took to the road, streaming into the south west like a column of ants, albeit at a snail’s pace. In itself it is not offensive, so where ‘racist’ comes into matters I fail to understand. When you add a choice old-English expletive, then it is abusive.

In Mr Hutchins’ utopian/ puerile world, it would seem there can be no discussion, never mind criticism, of a clearly identifiable group, some – ­perhaps a large minority – of whom clearly lack social and driving skills and some even thinking they own the place. (Oh bum! There goes my argument – most do now own the place, being second home owners.) And yes, sorry to say, they are not dissimilar to some locals.

Why be surprised that in the summer there are many frustrations here – how else would it be when it’s like trying to fit a quart into a pint pot?

It’s a shame that Mr Hutchins falls into the trap of identifying that the world is full of people of different colours and religious beliefs – surely that is divisive, even racist. No, it’s fact – we are not all the same. Tribalism has always existed, hence so many conflicts in the world.

Don’t blame the English ­language.