Interesting to read how musical instruments empower “young Ugandans from disadvantaged backgrounds to transform their lives using music as a tool to improve society and develop life skills” (Cornets in Kampala: community brass bands in Uganda – in pictures, 26 January). Someone should tell the British government – then perhaps music (and other arts) would remain a part of the school curriculum.
Graham York
Honiton, Devon
• I was delighted by the article about the piano being associated with a better brain in those over 40 (29 January). I started playing again nine years ago – and last month, aged 79, I passed my grade 7 exam.
Teresa Davies
Exeter
• In Monday’s print edition you printed an item about warm weather in Kinlochewe with a picture of Weston-super-Mare. This is the second time this winter you have illustrated a story about Scottish weather with a photo from England: on 28 December it was “Scotland bears the brunt…” with a picture of Brighton. As a loyal Scottish reader, I protest.
Doreen Osborne
Glasgow
• Perhaps Nell Frizzell is not seeing confused cherry trees (25 January), but rather early-blooming species such as Prunus mume or Viburnum x bodnantense. People often wrongly think nature has gone bloomin’ mad at this time of year.
Ivo Brown
Witney, Oxfordshire
• Emma Beddington doesn’t mention the risk to passersby of leaving curtains open (29 January). I have twice walked into lamp-posts while gawping at others’ interiors.
Derek Janes
Duns, Scottish Borders
• Do you have a photograph you’d like to share with Guardian readers? If so, please click here to upload it. A selection will be published in our Readers’ best photographs galleries and in the print edition on Saturdays.
