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Born in the USA SIR: David Horspool writes (December issue) of Presidents’ Day in the USA. As Adlai Stevenson once said, ‘In America, anybody can be president. That’s one of the risks you take.’ Yours, Bob Frost, Deal, Kent
Controlled happiness SIR: Sister Teresa’s recalling (December issue) a naval joke about the correct attitude at a sailor’s funeral, one of ‘subdued joy’, is delightful. It reminds me of a collection of choral arrangements of classic popular songs, In the Mood, used occasionally by the choir I sing with, where the performance instruction for Tea for Two is ‘with controlled happiness’. Michael Rodgers, Lower Heyford, Oxfordshire
Radio 4’s comic moment SIR: As usual, I enjoyed Valerie Grove’s Radio column (December issue), but can I be the 94th person to point out that the bloke in the Private Eye cartoon actually said, ‘Come quick! Bernardine Evaristo isn’t on Radio 4!’ Valerie missed out the Radio 4 bit – a shame, because it would have chimed rather well with the rest of her engaging piece. All best, Matt Phillips, London W6
Boris’s seating plan SIR: Just to add a note of support to Stephen Glover on the now historic Garrick Club dinner. This was, as he says, an ebullient reunion of over 30 Telegraph leader-writers which had been planned many months in advance. On the night, I was seated next to Charles Moore and diagonally opposite Boris Johnson (and, indeed, directly opposite the editor of this magazine) and can testify that not a word was exchanged on the subject of climate change. The conversation, as is usually the way at such gatherings, 44 The Oldie January 2022
consisted entirely of jocular reminiscence and gossip. Very enjoyable evening it was, too. Yours, Janet Daley, Barnet
Normans conquered SIR: I read with interest the Last of the Nigels article by Nigel Pullman (December issue). But what of the Normans? My best friend is a Norman (b 1952). I know of no other! Yours respectfully, Graham Sherwood, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Thank ’eaven for Maurice SIR: Re Nigel Pullman’s article about names (December issue) – I guess how I got mine. 1928: parents marry. 1929: fun in Paris. Merci, M Chevalier! Maurice Dybeck, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
Folk memories SIR (I see you are still Sir): Why on earth does the Rev Steven Morris (Olden Life, December) consider the choice of Folk Song in Britain an odd choice for an Observer’s book in a series designed largely for children? One of the few pleasant memories I have of life at a dreaded prep school (1944-47) is of the weekly community singing. It included such treats as The Vicar of Bray, The Golden Vanity, Weel May the Keel Row and The Girl I Left Behind Me; from Ireland, The Minstrel Boy and Let Erin Remember; and from Wales, All Through the Night and The Ash Grove; all to be found in the New National Song Book. After these sessions, the general level of brutality and anxiety in the atmosphere dropped appreciably for a time. Wouldn’t schools in the state sector find this helpful? As in modern pop songs, it is the rhythm that counts, far more than the words. But in the older ones there is melody as well. Yours faithfully, John Jolliffe, Frome, Somerset
The Dying Soldier: WWI window at St Mary Magdalene, Enfield
Lest we forget SIR: Your piece by the estimable Lucinda Lambton (October issue) unfortunately contained an error. The penultimate paragraph wrongly names the church on Windmill Hill, Enfield, which is actually called St Mary Magdalene. It also mentions a mournful First World War window. I believe it is worth seeing – so I attach a picture [above]. Best wishes, Alan Urie, Enfield EN3
Turkish delights SIR: Bill Knott’s article on raki (December issue) reminded me of a time in the 1970s when I worked in Turkey. This was before tourism blossomed there, and outsiders were still regarded with curiosity by many. I soon gained a taste for raki. Bill writes that ‘raki is famous for provoking good conversation’ and so it proved when my wife joined me in Istanbul, for a short break.
