Janet Davies of Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, questions the location of No 10 North in Manchester. She notes that on mainland Britain, Manchester is situated 38% of the way from the south coast to the north coast. Including the Isles of Scilly and Shetland, it is 35.5% from the southernmost point to the northernmost. She suggests this implies the government may implicitly accept Scotland as a separate state.
Everton and the FA Cup
David Feintuck of Lewes, East Sussex, remarks that if Andy Burnham is chosen, it will be the first thing an Evertonian has won since the 1995 FA Cup.
Memory tests and the queen
Ruth Pickles of Congleton, Cheshire, recalls accompanying her elderly aunt in a medical assessment ward 20 years ago. A doctor quizzed a neighbouring patient on the name of the queen, to which the patient indignantly replied: “I don’t move in those circles!”
Man's best friend
Jeanette Hamilton of Buxton, Derbyshire, references a quote attributed to Blaise Pascal: “The more I see of mankind, the more I prefer my dog.”
Piano competition
Mike Fuller of Ampthill, Bedfordshire, comments on Stephen Hough leading the relaunched Leeds piano competition, asking if anyone can imagine a nation glued to television to witness fine piano playing. He adds, “In your dreams, Mr Hough.”
