The custard tarts sold by the Original Maids of Honour teashop near Kew were pretty good, with a crispy pastry base (Pastry wars, Food, G2, 19 February). The shop maintains they date back to Henry VIII, who kept the recipe secret. They kept me going through an afternoon when I worked in Kew Gardens.
Mary Hamilton
Bourton on the Water, Gloucestershire
• But as the Cambridge Footlights pointed out a lifetime ago, Chippenham Wrexham (Letters, 20 February).
Simon Tatton-Brown
Bath
• In the old days, Diss was what I learned. Norwich meant Nickers Off Ready When I Come Home. Does it still?
Jill Knight
York
