So Thatcherism is rooted in Methodism (Why we should be wary of injecting too much morality into economics, 3 March)? My recollection of Methodism 70 years ago was its emphasis on selflessness, inclusiveness and community. Not values that I remember as being at the forefront of Thatcherism.
David Chambers
Knutsford, Cheshire
• In the context of the discussion on the finer points of grammar and punctuation (Letters, 4 March), there is one further reason for using the British term Mothering Sunday instead of the American Mother’s Day. It avoids the problem of worrying about where the apostrophe should go.
Simon Gamble
Poole, Dorset
• If readers want to avoid Mother’s Day pinkification (Letters, 3 March), may I offer a shameless plug – our pamphlet of Ten Poems about Mothers is not remotely pink and much more worthwhile than a schmaltzy card.
Jenny Swann
Editor, Candlestick Press
• My plumber studied English at Oxford. The value of this was shown when he amended an estimate from “this valve needs replacing” to “this valve needs to be replaced” with the observation that it was not an appropriate place for a gerund.
Tim Grollman
London
• What a delight it was to read about film’s first lady (The pioneering female film critic who changed our view of cinema, G2, 3 March). Our family always delighted to read CA Lejeune’s film criticisms. I have never forgotten one particular review: “Something in the Wind, but not very much.”
David Critchlow
Poole, Dorset
• All hail to Flett and Mitchell/ For letters light and weighty,/ While I have managed only one,/ (In circa nineteen eighty).
David Gouldstone
Letchworth, Hertfordshire
