Tim Lott’s search if not for the “working-class novel” then at least for fiction that stems from what most would consider to be the lower tier of our society, could take him to Austin Collings’s recently published The Myth of Brilliant Summers (Pariah Press). The English is pure steel, even if the message is unremittingly bleak.
Angus Doulton
Bere Ferrers, Devon
• Helen Pidd’s article on the Whitworth Art Gallery (9 February ) is justified in mentioning the magnificent watercolour bequest by the Manchester Guardian’s founder, JE Taylor, given in 1892. But it should have included the name of Sir Joseph Whitworth, whose £1m bequest helped fund Whitworth Institute, as it was known until the early 20th century.
Ann Clements
Surbiton, Surrey
• Louis Armstrong (Letters, 3 February) was famous for handing out cards advertising the laxative Swiss Kriss. These showed a beaming Satchmo sitting on a lavatory, knotted handkerchief on head, trousers down and the slogan: “Leave It All Behind Ya”
Bob Lamb
Chester
• Why the tortuous path (A recipe for greener tea, 9 February) to find an energy-saving water-boiler? I’ve long had a kettle with two compartments; you pump the exact amount you want from the main reservoir into the smaller boiling section, then switch on. Easy.
Cherry Lavell
Cheltenham
• It was fascinating to read about the “ordinary” people who have raised astonishing amounts of money for charity (Money section, 7 February). Our mother, who died two weeks ago, did a seven-mile sponsored walk last February at the age of 103 and raised £5,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society. My brother did the administration and set up the Just Giving page and, with family and friends – and fish and chips half way round – she completed the seven miles.
Penny Jaques
Oxford
