The splendid article on Wigan (Where tourists seldom tread, part 4: Five UK towns with hidden histories, 15 March) highlights the town’s proud mining heritage and its regeneration from industrial dereliction to areas of diverse ecological importance that now form a national nature reserve. It does much to dispel the images of dark, satanic mills, flat caps, clogs and whippets.
Ian Winstanley
Wigan, Greater Manchester
• I’m not sure that I would fit the bill as one of Sheena Roberts’s “male juggling role models” (Letters, 14 March) but, on getting divorced, I became a single parent to my 10-year-old daughter. I do recall a lot of juggling and constant tiredness – and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Now, 27 years later, I enjoy a little light babysitting before “giving back” my four grandsons.
Tom Stubbs
Surbiton, London
• It isn’t just wildlife groups and nature clubs that have a fascination with owl pellets (Country diary, 14 March). Thirty‑five years ago, my son and daughter dissected them at their wonderful Cockermouth primary school. I remember clearly their graphic reports over tea that day.
Janet Mansfield
Aspatria, Cumbria
• There are good cartoons, great cartoons and, once every few years, a cartoon that marks a moment in history. I cannot be the only reader who burst into tears when I saw Martin Rowson’s cartoon on Wednesday. The true significance of all those dismissive political soundbites is made clear for even the hardest of hearts.
Bob Caldwell
Daventry, Northamptonshire
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