It’s good that Alice Bacon is to be recognised in a new biography (Female MPs often written out of political history, 28 November). Margaret Bondfield was mentioned as another MP without a biography. She did, however, write her autobiography, A Life’s Work. My second-hand copy, in my possession for many years, has a bookplate showing that it originally belonged to Caroline Haslett. I have always assumed this was the Carolne Haslett, who herself was a pioneer in opening up engineering as a profession for women, and who in 1919 founded the Women’s Engineering Society.
Pat Stuttard
Leicester
• An excellent photograph of Salisbury Cathedral (Eyewitness, 28 November). However, it was not “a spectacular start to Christmas”, but rather a spectacular start to Advent. It is unfortunate that someone does not know the difference
Canon David Jennings
Canon theologian, Leicester cathedral
• Maybe the English should aspire to the dog Goethe described (English nationalism is a growling dog with no bite and no bark, Editorial, 28 November). Rough translation: “Wanted, dog / no barking or biting / must eat broken glass / and shit diamonds.”
David Page
Starston, Norfolk
• Cosy, from the Scots Gaelic cosagach, is one approximation of hyggelig (Letters, 28 November), though Under Milk Wood’s Mrs Dai Bread One was possibly closer with the sentiment, “nice to be comfy, nice to be nice”.
Austen Lynch
Garstang, Lancashire
• Re your report on the “second highest” building in western Europe (29 November): Emley Moor transmitter (330m) in West Yorkshire is 20m taller than the Shard (310m). The tower has a top-floor interior equipment area at a height of 330 metres, which is accessible.
Stuart Paulley
Oldham, Lancashire
• David Harper, in his calculation (Letters, 29 November), fails to recognise that Wales is not level. If all the sugary drinks consumed by 11- to 18-year-olds were poured on it, we would have a mass of hills and mountains rising over some deep sticky lakes.
Terence Hall
Pendlebury, Greater Manchester
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