I echo Pippa Crerar’s assessment of the king’s speech (Starmer counts on promises he can fulfil to rebuild voters’ trust, 17 July). I imagine I’m not alone for someone my age (I’m in my 20s) in finding this speech to be the only one of this kind I have ever agreed with, or felt remotely optimistic and secure about. The adults are back in the room, and it feels good.
Sebastian Monblat
New Cross, London
• While I enjoyed the suggestions about books to read if you enjoyed specific TV shows (If you like Baby Reindeer, you’ll love Young Mungo! 29 terrific TV shows – and the books to read instead, 17 July), suggesting that viewers who liked Derry Girls read Louise Kennedy’s Trespasses is like suggesting someone who enjoyed Dad’s Army has a go at reading All Quiet on the Western Front. Trespasses is a fantastic book, but it is certainly not trying to be a bit of craic.
Teresa McCormack (a Derry girl)
Belfast
• Your Country Diary described the sad demise of ash trees in Northern Ireland from ash dieback (12 July). This made me wonder how we will predict spring weather if we cannot rely on the saying “Ash before oak and you’re in for a soak, oak before ash and you’ll get a splash” – referring to trees coming into leaf.
Melvyn Ellis
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
• Zoe Williams (My sausage-like fingers are not sexy. But they have given me one incredible talent, 16 July) impressed me with her ability to carry four pints. It reminded me of an equally skilled friend who came back from the bar with three pints, and a fourth balanced on top.
Sophie Houston
Dunoon, Argyll and Bute
• No need for Royal Mail to recycle its rubber bands (Letters, 17 July). There’s a whole band of us picking them up and reusing them.
Roger Wilkinson
Leasgill, Cumbria
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