I’m dubious about this since he’s only 27 and I’ve no idea what he’s going to be like when he’s in his sixties. He is prepared to reside near us and do all our shopping, as long as we buy no extras. Knowing his views on the importance of moderation, I dismissed this offer out of hand, but Una demurred. Plenty of us, she pointed out to me privately, would be sufficiently unscrupulous to buy in lots of booze without telling him.Several applications have come in from friends and acquaintances, including Tim, who buttles for us unpaid from time to time and wishes to perform this role in our home.

Michael, annexed unbeknown to himself to be our photographer and chronicler, sent a postcard from Spain saying: ‘Taking photographs, writing a diary, and reading the Independent.’
James, the anonymous friend quoted as refusing to live with us, has unbent slightly. Priscilla grumbled from New York that in advertising for a handyman I was denigrating her prowess as a plumber. Jill complained that I had omitted to mention her talent as a fortune-teller, though what use that is likely to be to the very old escapes me. There was a considerable response, mostly from those mentioned in the article. Earlier this month I disclosed to Independent readers plans I am making with friends for a home for aged ravers, all of whom will contribute their various skills to maximise roistering opportunities. Now let’s make them of plastic.
Yours faithfully, LESLIE JERMAN Theydon Bois, Essex.

We find, after they have been erected, that history and biographers show the commemorated usually had feet of clay. Then, when we have forgotten who we are trying to remember (like the Duke of Cambridge, just off Whitehall), we would just sweep up the erstwhile figure

London, in particular, has too many statues. Sir: I applaud Jonathan Glancey’s article on statues that should be scrapped (‘Whatever happened to all the heroes?’, 26 October). For a long time, I have thought it might be an idea to give consideration to making statues of some sort of biodegradable plastic.

In this highly technological age, it would be interesting to know how many directors are graduate scientists or engineers. How many are Fellows of the Royal Society or the Royal Academy of Engineering?
Yours faithfully, JOHN MULVEY Executive Secretary Save British Science Oxford 24 October. Sir: Accountants still overwhelm the boardroom, reports James Bethell (‘Boys on boards hang on to their bastion’, 24 October); more than two-thirds of company directors have passed accountancy exams. What is needed is a greater willingness from municipal parks departments to work in partnership with citizens to ensure that the pounds 1bn spent annually on their upkeep achieves maximum feasible impact and ensures that everyone feels safe enough to visit them.
Yours sincerely ELISABETH HOODLESS Executive Director Community Service Volunteers London, N1 (Photograph omitted).