All the so-called monoliths being found (Mystery of the monoliths: if only it were aliens, 8 December) reminded me of one I saw years ago in Ireland. There is a craft shop in County Clare, and in the car park is a monolith – yes, made of stone, about 50mm by 1m by 2m, and chiselled into it is the inscription (I paraphrase) “On this spot, in 1923, nothing happened”. The staff of the shop clubbed together to pay for it “for the craic”.
Bill Gabbett
London
• In November 1839 thousands of Chartists march to Newport to demand democracy and the right to vote by secret ballot; 22 are killed by soldiers shooting from inside the Westgate hotel. In 2016, the doorway of the same hotel, shown in the illustration to Aditya Chakrabortty’s article (Brexit was never a grassroots movement, but an elitist political takeover, 9 November), is manned by Brexit-supporting youths. Was this coincidence or deliberate?
Anne Dunton
Newport
• Fintan O’Toole’s article (‘V-Day’, really? The vaccine should be a source of global joy, not petty patriotism, 9 December) causes me concern. I am no admirer of this government, but politicians are human. Matt Hancock is entitled to be emotional given the year he’s had. Without compassion we are nothing.
Pat Sanderson
Sheffield
• The line used in our house to show displeasure at a lack of progress is “10 o’clock and not a child in the house washed”, courtesy of my late grandmother, a Coronation Street devotee (Letters, 9 December).
Dominica Jewell
Bazoches-au-Houlme, France
• When William Shakespeare was inoculated (Report, 8 December), did he quote from Act 3 Vaccine 1? (“Et tu, Brute?”)
Colin Beaven
Southampton
