For part of my childhood in the 1950s we lived at Roker in Sunderland (J-force give Sunderland followers some respite, 12 July). Some of the Sunderland team had digs in our street and kicked a ball with us in the evening. I still have Billy Bingham’s autograph and have loved football ever since. Thank you, Louise Taylor, for the memories and hope.
Jean Jackson
Seer Green, Buckinghamshire
• My Dad used to break the bottom off his cone, scoop up some ice-cream, and feed it to the grateful dog (Is it OK to share ice-cream with a dog?, G2, 11 July). He was a fox terrier who ran around too much to become obese, and I don’t think he would have appreciated frozen yoghurt.
Peter Lowthian
Marlow, Buckinghamshire
• You refer to the “threat” of rain bringing an end to the heatwave (Report, 13 July). What may feel like a heatwave in the urban heat island – or is it the metropolitan bubble? – is a drought in a dried-up countryside, and your threat is our blessing.
Martin Brayne
Chinley, Derbyshire
• On the Shropshire Union Canal last week, I was delighted to pass Ian Grieve’s “Gordon Bennett” (Letters, passim), but surprised to note that, although an elegant craft, it is finished in a shade of grey with which I do not associate his prose.
David Johnston
“Waitangi”, Trent and Mersey Canal
• I’m glad (sorry) to confirm Dame Edna’s gladioli-chucking prowess (‘I defend my right to give deep offence’, G2, 12 July). I caught one in the front row of the dress circle at her show in 1989. I then had to stand up and wave it while singing…
Caroline Ewans
London
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