Re the study by a team of researchers at Leiden University into the effect of watching horror movies on coagulation levels in the blood (Horror is truly blood-curdling, study finds, 18 December), a much more interesting and serious research topic would be how it comes about that various languages developed terms such as “bloodcurdling”, “bloedstollend” etc, centuries before the process of blood clotting was medically and scientifically understood.
Willem Meijs
Clare, Suffolk
• I was interested to read your item on “Britain’s oldest Christmas tree”, purchased in 1937 (Shortcuts, G2, 14 December). I have just put up, as I do every year, a tree which was bought in 1920 for the first Christmas of my mother-in-law. She had been born on 9 December that year and the tree has been displayed every year since then, either in her home in Sheffield, or in ours in North Yorkshire. Sadly, she, Olive Hoyland, nee Bell, died in July this year aged 94.
June Hoyland
Sowerby, North Yorkshire
• Chelsea’s run is described as “arguably the most dramatic slump in English football history” (Sport, 19 December). In 1938 Manchester City were relegated having won the First Division title the previous season. José Mourinho may well be the “special one”, but City’s achievement makes them very special indeed.
Tony Simpson
Eyemouth, Berwickshire
• Considering the time of year, I am surprised not to have seen the headline “José in ex-Chelsea is”.
Larry Westland
Dunsfold, Surrey
• I saw a lively adult hedgehog on a local lawn at dusk on 15 December. Blackbirds are courting and mallards mating (Letters, passim)!
Jacky Creswick
Chester
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
