For many of us who are involved in the family justice system, the news that the number of adoptions has fallen 12% is not surprising (Report, 30 September). However, for the blame to be laid at the door of local authorities is wholly inaccurate. Decisions of the supreme court and the court of appeal in 2013 caused judges in the lower courts to be more reluctant to approve plans for the adoption of children. More recent court decisions have moved the goalposts again, leaving local authorities trying to make sense of it all and protect children in the process.
Graham Cole
Chair, Lawyers in Local Government Child Care Lawyers Group
• I note that among the predicted 20 future football stars at Premier League clubs (Next generation 2016, Sport, 5 October) there are virtually no summer births. None were born from May through to 30 August (notwithstanding that some may have been born in the southern hemisphere). Perhaps summer births are only destined to become cricket stars?
Martin Goodwin
Standish, Lancashire
• Jamie Oliver seems to have stirred up a storm by calling his chicken, rice and chorizo recipe “paella” (Report, 5 October). The same ingredients form the basis of one of Delia Smith’s most popular recipes, Chicken Basque, published in her Summer Collection in 1993 without adverse Spanish reaction. It is delicious regardless of what it is called.
David McBrien
Maidenhead, Berkshire
• Fiji’s rugby sevens coach Ben Ryan (‘Base a Fiji team here in Cornwall – they would love it’, Sport, 5 October) overlooks the small matter that the Fiji climate runs from 26C to 31C all year. Still, the Cornish rain is good for the complexion, allegedly.
John Richards
Oxford
• A “sea fret” in north-east England maybe, but surely a “haar” in eastern Scotland (Weather forecast, 5 October)?
Iain Mackintosh
London
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
