Along with Paul Foot, John Pilger (Obituary, 1 January) was one of the greatest campaigning journalists of our times. His death brought many tributes, but not a word from Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer. Proof that his journalism exposing the rich and powerful, their policies and motivations, made him persona non grata in official political circles. A better epitaph there couldn’t be.
Keith Flett
Tottenham, London
• Stuart Jeffries’ excellent review of The Famous Five (31 December) refers to George wearing “a pair of trainers that … probably didn’t exist in 1940s’ England”. I remember seeing Converse basketball shoes – similar to those worn by George in this TV adaptation – in the 1950s, so I checked: they were introduced around 1920.
Dave Dickinson
Walton-on-Thames, Surrey
• I agree with Barbara Williams (Letters, 1 January) that Barwick Green, The Archers’ tune, would be a perfect national anthem, but she has got the words slightly wrong. The first verse actually ends “ti tum ti tiddly dee”. The second verse is the one that ends “ti diddly tum”.
Rachel David
Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
• Could every theatre in the UK film all their performances and set up a national theatre TV channel, to be paid for by a modest subscription, and thus bring the joy of the stage to the many people all over the country who can’t get to see a show (Letters, 31 December)?
Roger and Lesli Day
Wedhampton, Wiltshire
• When I raised an eyebrow at the hot cross buns in a supermarket last week (Letters, 1 January), an assistant told me: “They come in on Boxing Day.” That’s one way to put the frighteners on the clergy.
Rev Don Tordoff
Scarborough, North Yorkshire
• Do you have a photograph you’d like to share with Guardian readers? If so, please click here to upload it. A selection will be published in our Readers’ best photographs galleries and in the print edition on Saturdays.
