Letters in brief

Many thanks for Jeremy Clarke's article "I was Alf Garnett's love child" (31 July).

I was a kid when Speight's horrendous creation rose from the pit and can well remember the people's joy at the discovery of a whole "new language" plus permission to use it. Boy, did the bastards grind me down.

IAN HARRIS

Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire

Sir: Surely the future of the Anglican Communion is assured partly by the fact that, in addition to their mitres, Bishop Holloway and his colleagues are also made of biodegradable materials.

REV CANON

SF BLOXAM-ROSE

Senior Chaplain

Millfield, Somerset

Sir: As we read of the many schemes put forward as means of celebrating the year 2000, there is one that could truly epitomise a new era for this country and reflect the feelings of the British people, and that is a new National Anthem.

At present we are saddled with a 250-year-old song to a monarch, which bears no relation to modern times and makes no mention of our country and its proud history.

The UK is full of talented writers, poets and musicians. Is there anyone out there who would sponsor a contest to produce an anthem for the next thousand years?

WIN MCCURRACH

Kingston on Spey, Morayshire

Sir, Since Judge Goddard has been found by the Court of Appeal to be responsible for the judicial murder of Derek Bentley, would it not be appropriate for his remains now to be disinterred, and reburied in lime in the courtyard of Wandsworth prison? He would surely never want a delinquent to escape punishment.

DR W PICKIN

Swansea

Sirs: Philip Hensher (24 July) was offended by seeing a picture of Mussolini on a restaurant wall. And quite right too. I was equally offended, and for similar reasons, by Suzanne Moore's use (page 5) of the word "Nazis" to describe interior designers.

DAVID MARKS

London