Better people than me will say nicer things about John Motson (Obituary, 23 February), but I shall remember him as the first commentator I heard condemning racist chanting during one of his live football commentaries. This was almost four decades ago.
Lakviar Singh
West Ealing, London
• Having read 100 centenarians’ 100 tips for a life well lived (18 February), it seems to me that the common factor among the biggest group of them was having served in the RAF in the second world war, something actuaries might want to ponder.
Malachy Pakenham
St Albans, Hertfordshire
• My copy of Gulliver’s Travels (1726), awarded at school to my grandfather in 1906, says it is “practically a reprint of the original edition, the only alterations being the omission of certain coarse passages which would offend modern taste” (Camilla tells authors to ‘remain true to calling’ amid Roald Dahl row, 23 February).
Prof Philip Gummett
Aspenshaw, Derbyshire
• Your report (Asda and Morrisons ration fresh produce including tomatoes and peppers, 21 February) refers to “shortages caused by poor weather” and says “the problems could last for weeks”; the words “climate change” and “harbinger of things to come” should appear somewhere.
Pam Lunn
Kenilworth, Warwickshire
• Ann Newell questions why, with huge profits, NatWest is closing its branch in her market town (Letters, 19 February). It’s because closing branches helps make huge profits.
Pete Lavender
Nottingham
