Botticelli certainly worked his “magical charms” on me (Botticelli genius takes on popular culture at V&A, 28 August). As an art-shy 13-year-old I was left in front of his “pagan masterpiece” Primavera while the rest of my art-loving family toured the Uffizi. Two hours later, I was still there, rapt and unaware of how long had passed. This was the first painting I ever really “saw”, and I remained a Botticelli fan until his women were forced by young late-era hippy males into service as representatives of some sublime feminine ideal, reduced to a handy postcard.
Jane Charteris
London
• It was good to see an article on Northumberland in your Travel section (29 August) but disappointing that, while concentrating on the area around Druridge Bay, it omitted to mention the application by Banks mining group to exploit for opencast mining vast swaths of land around the bay. This plan would eviscerate one of the most beautiful and ecologically significant environments in England. The omission is particularly glaring given your ongoing campaign to “Keep it in the ground”.
David Chaney
Newcastle upon Tyne
• Hammering nails into pieces of wood may be a new entertainment for Londoners (Notebook, 26 August), but I have an announcement of a nail-driving competition for ladies taking place in Liverpool in 1899. Competitors were given a hammer and one five-inch nail, and the useful advice “Nails must be driven in point first”.
Peter Criddle
Shrewsbury, Shropshire
• The unenthusiastic reception for rapper Mos Def’s standup routine (Report, 31 August) brought to mind the response of audiences in northern working men’s clubs for many a prospective comedian. In one, a notice pinned backstage read “No turn unstoned”.
David Grigg
Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear
• I note that, in spite of your editorial style policy, you have permitted the dreaded word “actress” to appear in Saturday’s quick crossword (No 14,136, 29 August). How dare your setter do this?
Peter Grantham
Reading, Berkshire
