As you say (Editorial, 26 November), huge cruise ships pollute heavily and are becoming a significant environmental menace as more and more are built. They are also a health menace. Even though they carry gyms, for most customers they encourage obesity thanks to their all-you-can-eat rolling buffets. Those tempted are no longer elderly retirees like me, but people with children. And that is sad.
Prof Vaughan Grylls
Westmarsh, Kent
• I’d like to see an editorial ban on describing towns and villages as “sleepy” (‘Phantom gnome snatcher’ of Formby admits prank almost 50 years on, 26 November). I bet Formby is as interesting and exciting as my local area, and far more action-packed than the part of Greater London where I grew up.
Janet Mansfield
Aspatria, Cumbria
