So, we learn that Margaret Thatcher closed the mines because of global warming (Johnson makes ‘unbelievably crass’ joke about Thatcher closing coal mines, 5 August). And by the way, the success of our cycling Olympians is entirely due to Norman Tebbit.
Duncan Sidwell
Asfordby, Leicestershire
• The common feature of our divided society is that those at the top end are rewarded with large bonuses (HSBC boosts bonus pool and dividend as profits more than quadruple, 2 August) when those at the sharp end of HSBC services are rewarded with a clawback of occupational pensions. So much for “levelling up”.
Dr Peter Wimpenny
Gairloch, Ross and Cromarty
• I wonder if the British Olympic boxer who said winning silver is only losing gold (Ben Whittaker takes Olympic silver but light-heavyweight final defeat hurts, 4 August) knows the saying “Show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser”?
Roland White
Bognor Regis, West Sussex
• Years ago, working in a small county town practice to qualify as an architect, I remember handing the boss, Graham Frecknall, an envelope addressed to “G Fucknall Esq”, which was met with a sardonic: “Well, at least they left the N in!” (Letters, 4 August).
Simon Hanna
Tadley, Hampshire
• A distant memory from my first year of teaching is a note explaining a child’s absence: “It’s because of her face, she’s had it an awfully long time” (Letters, 5 August).
Jane McIntosh
Lewes, East Sussex
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