If Lucy Powell (Education profile, 8 December) really needs help to look at “some of these big issues” she should certainly read Fiona Millar’s articles in the Guardian, as suggested (Letters, 9 December). She should also study the treasure trove of articles by Millar, Janet Downs and so many others on the Local Schools Network website. These explain in forensic detail how our education system is being systematically perverted and even suggest how it can be rescued. I’m assuming Lucy has a computer and knows how to get online.
Phil Taylor
Manchester
• Reading Tanya Gold’s hilarious and absolutely spot on article about being a lapsed Jew married to a Christian (Weekend, 5 December) felt like reading about myself. She may be delighted to know that she is definitely a better Jew than I am. Do I feel guilty? Is the pope a Catholic?
Kate Wolfsohn
London
• In my garden I have all four seasons represented at once: daffodils, a delphinium, nerines and hellebores (Letters, passim). I have often boasted of having year-round colour, but to have it all at once is ridiculous.
Jill Hughes
Horsmonden, Kent
• It’s 8 December and I’m in shorts and T-shirt with french windows wide open. Paris, please take note.
Tony Ambrose
Bath
• An octopus in a nativity play (Letters, 8 December) is not unprecedented – the performance featured in the film Love Actually features not only an octopus but two lobsters.
Simon Bennett
Truro, Cornwall
• A very apt headline (“Man down”) for Man United’s descent into the Europa League (Sport, 9 December). But you could have had Man Up, for Man City topping their group.
Simon Hunter
Brookmans Park, Hertfordshire
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
