The news that the clincher determining the award of Child Genius 2016 (Too young to push?, 6 August) was the ability to spell “eleemosynary” reawakened an ancient sense of impotent fury. Aged about 11 I had used this very word in a school essay, only to be rewarded with the English teacher’s sarcastic marginal comment: “Where did you find this horror?” The answer was in a short story by O Henry, of whom he doubtless hadn’t heard either. Mind you, I have rarely come across the term in the nearly seven decades that have passed since then.
Peter Roland
Bognor Regis
• The 35 illegal immigrants working for a burger chain is merely the tip of the iceberg (Byron betrayed its workers. The system betrays us all, 4 August). Regardless of our future relationship with the EU, isn’t it about time we fell in line with the continent by having a national identity card system? Better still, no granting of a national insurance number without an identity card.
Yugo Kovach
Winterborne Houghton, Dorset
• Good to see the Guardian reflecting the diverse views of octogenarians – though Clint Eastwood’s abrasive denial of the very idea of racism (Report, 5 August) is a far less compelling argument for the rewards of longevity than Paul Nicolson’s quiet humanity in opposing the taxation of benefits (Retired vicar loses fight over non-payment of council tax, 5 August).
Austen Lynch
Garstang, Lancashire
• It is correct that Ceredigion, Gwynedd and Monmouthshire voted remain and are rural areas (Letters, 6 August). However Monmouthshire is not a “Welsh-speaking heartland” even though some of us have learnt tipyn bach o Gymraeg (little bit of Welsh). Hwyl!
Rich Chandler
Caldicot, Monmouthshire
• Very helpful armchair guide to the Olympics (Sport, 6 August) informing us that due to time difference in Rio the action kicks off at 12:30 in England. What time does it start in the rest of the UK?
Martin Chivers
Bridgend
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