As I write, on 2 December, it is the 30th anniversary of Philip Larkin’s death, and a memorial is being unveiled at Westminster Abbey. Hull, its city council and university (where he was librarian) make much of him as preparations are made to celebrate being city of culture in 2017. His grave, however, in the municipal cemetery in Cottingham, just outside Hull, was completely bare and forlorn when I paid my respects at lunchtime. I think Philip, with a sardonic smile, must be looking down and finding the irony priceless.
Mike Godwin
Beverley
• Michael Randle (Letters, 2 December) notes that the original drawings of Gerald Holtom’s peace symbol are held by the Commonweal Collection. Perfect copies are also on public display at the Peace Museum, Bradford. Visitors can see clearly how Holtom anticipated the symbol’s use in promoting nuclear disarmament. Today, Holtom’s symbol not only stands for opposition to terror but also for rejection of Trident.
Dr Clive Barrett
Chair, The Peace Museum, Bradford
• You don’t have to go to the Caribbean to wear sunglasses in December and January (Fashtag, G2, 1 December). Just come to the north of Scotland – as the sun is low in the sky, sunglasses are a necessity on a bright day. I probably wear them more during winter than summer.
Margaret Vandecasteele
Wick, Caithness
• I was saying to the police at the back of the Stop the War march on Tuesday how impressed I was with their attitude: pleasant, friendly, helping us to demonstrate. They said they wished somebody would tell the media. I said I would write a letter to a newspaper. So here it is.
David Curtis
London
• When the bombing starts, can we expect the Guardian’s pages to be full of pictures of George Osborne in pilot’s togs rather than his everyday hi-vis jacket and goggles?
John Smith
Beighton, South Yorkshire
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
