You report that EU member state France has temporarily closed its border with the UK (Covid chaos disrupts Kent ports as France bans UK freight, 21 December). You also report that its fellow EU member states Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland and others have done likewise. One could almost be forgiven for thinking these were sovereign countries in control of their money, laws and borders. A bit like the UK (except for the borders bit, obviously).
Barry Willcox
Kingston, London
• Perhaps one of your many Feast contributors could offer some festive advice to those of us who are going to be unexpectedly, and sadly, eating on our own this Christmas.
Alison Burroughes
St Albans, Hertfordshire
• Brian Smith (Letters, 20 December) invites our opinions on the trustworthiness (or otherwise) of bearded men. There are no bearded men in the present cabinet. Case proven?
John Seeley
Solihull, West Midlands
• As a contribution to Brian Smith’s survey, this Guardian reader started wearing sandals many years before a beard and, except for any effect on my mother, the latter seems to have worked best.
Richard Harley
Alresford, Hampshire
• Your obituary of the geneticist Brian Sykes omits one thing (18 December). He was a fine croquet player; in his prime he was one of the best in the country. I had the pleasure of playing him when he visited Cheltenham croquet club, and lunch afterwards was always enjoyable. Croquet is of course a Covid-safe game for all ages and abilities.
Adam Moliver
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
• The address on the first letter above was amended on 22 December. An earlier version had it as “Kingston, Surrey”.
