Some 35 years ago I was a researcher at London Business School, sharing our sole computer with the renowned (or infamous) Economic Forecasting Unit, led by Terry, later Lord, Burns, before he was appropriated by Margaret Thatcher to advise the government. I well recall the announcement (though not the reason for it) by an EFU colleague: “We will never see single interest rates again.” If there is one observation I have made since, it is that all worldly things are subject to sudden, radical upheaval (Interest rate ‘will remain low for next 20 years’, 10 August).
Philip Dowell
Bridport, Dorset
• Absolutely agree with Fr Julian Dunn (Letters, 10 August). Please bring back the Saturday poems; and reviews and articles about poetry and poets. The poetic spirit of the old Saturday Review is sorely missed.
Clare Addison
Oxford
• Your correspondents recall fondly their fortunate encounters with Denis Healey (Letters, passim). The chances of similarly meeting present-day ministers of state are slimmer, thankfully.
Chris Osborne
West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire
• Donning a Panama hat to weed the allotment might be all very well in Glasgow (Letters, 13 August) but southern wearers would be wondering how to get the mud off their obligatory red trousers and pastel Ralph Lauren Polo shirt when they’d finished.
Mike Hine
Kingston upon Thames
• Don’t forget Hilda Ogden, Peggy’s cat in The Archers (Letters, 13 August).
Jennifer Henley
London
• My neighbour’s cat is called Arthur. However, their son is called Felix which confuses me!
Madeline Weston
Norwich
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