The claim that “no woman was trusted to read the news in the UK until Angela Rippon in 1975” (Freedom of speech, G2, 9 April) is inaccurate. Barbara Mandell read the midday news on ITV in 1955. However, the underlying point of the article – the notion that the female voice lacks authority reflects an embedded prejudice against women – is surely correct. It is borne out by what happened to Mandell. She was fired as a regular newsreader after a short time but went on to have a distinguished career as a reporter.
Professor James Curran
Goldsmiths, University of London
• Whimpering about National Gallery entrance fees (All about the Monet, 7 April) makes little sense. For £22 or less, you will get 78 staggering Monets, unique works of ravishing beauty, never to be brought together in this way again. You can stay in front of them all day if you wish. Compare that experience with ticket prices for other (some “subsidised”) entertainments in central London – drama, opera, football, et al – or with a meal in a chain eatery. Let’s get real about what is value for money.
RP Blows
London
• Your piece on Boris Johnson (Journal, 6 April) discusses truth and certainty. For Quakers this is covered in our Advices and Queries with the words “Do not allow the strength of your convictions to betray you into making statements or allegations that are unfair or untrue. Think it possible that you may be mistaken.”
Philip and Margaret Baker
Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire
• If the butterflies released by the Rolling Stones (Letters, 6 April) remember the harm done to them back in the 60s, then they weren’t really there.
David Upton
Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire
• Good to see Tom Lehrer is still with us at 90 (Birthdays, 9 April).Presumably the poisoned pigeons were unable to exercise retribution.
Martyn Farrall
Rotherfield, East Sussex
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