First flush of summer as swallows close loos

Barn swallows. Nesting swallows closed Langwathby station toilets, writes Irvine Hunt. Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo

In light of the negotiating skills shown by the DUP in securing a very favourable outcome for Northern Ireland in the ongoing “confidence and supply” talks (Report, 22 May), should the Tories not send the DUP to Europe for the Brexit talks instead of their current team. They might fare a lot better.
Fiona Doherty
Bray, Co Wicklow, Ireland

• Thanks to Lucy Mangan for revealing that not only did Brian Cant appear to be a good guy, he really was one (Mr Play School, G2, 21 June). A terrifying memory from my daughter’s childhood was when she disappeared among the sand dunes. I commandeered a search party from local students and one shouted at me: “I’m not sure if it’s her, but it could be. She says her name’s Cuthbert.” Thanks to Brian Cant we all burst out laughing and nobody got a severe talking-to.
Margaret Squires
St Andrew, Fife

• In reply to Ian Garner’s letter (22 June) re the numbers of fat/plump people pictured in Blackpool, versus Brighton, London and the south, up here in Blackpool we’ve always assumed that the fat/plump people were sent here a’purpose.
Danny Tanzey
Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire

• I have never read a more beautiful eulogy to a butterfly than in Derek Niemann’s Country diary (22 June). Please make this a set piece for schoolchildren.
Ian Garner
Keighley, West Yorkshire

• Summer at last. A chalk notice at Langwathby railway station warns us passengers that the station toilets are out of order due to swallows nesting.
Irvine Hunt
Penrith, Cumbria

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