I was delighted to read the joint letter advocating open admissions arrangements for Church of England schools (2 April). The case for this is greatly strengthened by remembering that C of E schools were originally founded for the benefit of local children, not for the advantage of church-going families; and that parish churches exist to serve their parishioners, not just their congregations.
Rev Philip Welsh
London
• I note that a young woman has been charged with “engaging in conduct in preparation for giving effect to an intention to commit acts of terrorism” at the Old Bailey (Report, 2 April). So George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four has arrived at last.
Karl Sabbagh
Newbold on Stour, Warwickshire
• I liked your piece on sitting at the desk and I agree that we need to balance sitting with moving around (Being a desk jockey may be unhealthy, but at least it makes us feel safer, 31 March). But I do think you should differentiate between types 1 and 2 diabetes. No amount of exercise will make my defunct pancreas work.
Selina Bates
Truro, Cornwall
• Your caption of cranes at Tilbury docks (1 April) stated that Britain needs to export more if the trade gap is to be closed. There is another way – reduce imports.
Marcus Cleaver
Malvern, Worcestershire
• On 13 March in Ravensbury Park, Mitcham, Surrey, I photographed the first violets (Letters, 31 March; Country diary, 25 March). A bit further south than Wenlock Edge; a lot further north than the Languedoc.
Caroline Ewans
London
• A GP I had never bothered with abbreviations (Letters, 2 April.) On being shown my swollen knee once, he simply said: “Buggered if I know”
Barry Hewlett-Davies
Brighton, East Sussex
