Your article (France to deploy sniffer dogs to inspect train seats for bedbugs, 4 October) reminded me of an aunt’s experience when she complained about bedbugs after a journey on a British Rail sleeper train. Back came an effusive letter of apology, saying “this has never happened before”. Accidentally included with the apology was the original letter of complaint, on which was scribbled “send usual bedbug letter”.
Roger Wilkinson
Leasgill, Cumbria
• How lovely to see a scarlet pimpernel (Country diary, 6 October). In my childhood in Essex in the 1950s they were everywhere. Now, in Warwickshire, I hardly ever see them. The Wildlife Trusts website says they are “in decline due to intensive agricultural practices”.
Pam Lunn
Kenilworth, Warwickshire
