Mary Beard (28 September) says “statues have an important job to do in helping us face up to the past”. This brought to mind the time I stood next to a man looking at a statue of John Henry Vivian (1785-1855) in Swansea. In my ignorance, I asked who the subject was. In a voice heavy with malice the man replied, “Just another grabbing English bastard,” and walked off. Which rather proves Mary’s point.
Mike Kelter
Bushey, Hertfordshire
• I enjoyed Mary Beard’s article. Some statues certainly have merit. As an electrical engineer, it gives me pleasure to see the one of Michael Faraday on the Thames Embankment. Mr Faraday is my hero. He transformed all of our lives – no pun intended!
Chris Arrowsmith
Cam, Gloucestershire
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