Interesting report on the scientific study of unravelling shoelaces (G2, 13 April). I was surprised, though, that no mention was made of the differing behaviours of flat and cylindrical laces, as it is my experience that the latter are more prone to unravelling. And while we are on the subject, could we have a study on the different methods of lacing – one seems to result in an end of the lace becoming ever longer as the other shortens, eventually making any form of tie impossible.
David Witt
Malmesbury, Wiltshire
• Talk of knots has taken me back to Northallerton in 1954. As a young Wolf Cub (as we were then called) I was taught to tie the sheet-bend – “up the rabbit hole, round the tree and through the loop”. It may be a great knot which I could still tie thanks to Akela, but I can’t recall ever needing to use it in the 63 years since then.
Peter Munro
Congleton, Cheshire
• We were happily using a new Banda machine in Malawi in the 1970s (Letters, 13 April) when they were summarily banned – by decree of the president-for life, Kamuzu Banda.
Ron Clarke
Malvern, Worcestershire
• I once phoned for some literature and attempted to clarify the spelling of our family name (Letters, 13 April). The information arrived and was addressed to Mr H Charlton-Withoutanar.
Harry Chalton
Newcastle upon Tyne
• Is there any substance to the rumours circulating Westminster that anti-Corbyn Labour MPs are in high-level secret talks with United Airlines (Report, 11 April)?
Steve Flatley
York
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