In the world of fantasy sci-fi, Neil Gaiman is a big shot. His Sandman graphic novel series is, by all accounts, a classic of the genre. (Disclaimer: the last fantasy I read was set in Narnia, so I'm no expert.)

Ian Holloway intends to sit down with chairman Karl Oyston to plot a way out of the relegation mire Blackpool landed in yesterday.

When someone's got northern soul, it's good to see them keeping the faith. The Bolton-born indie rock quintet Cherry Ghost have got it by the coal mine-full, and huddled round the font in Islington's Union Chapel they looked every bit the heavenly host, albeit with guitars rather than harps. Performing in a cherry-coloured glow which whispered through the stained-glass windows, you'd be forgiven for mistaking them for the resurrected personas of all those who died of joy at the first-ever Smiths gig.

Quite early one morning, not very long ago, when the property market in Islington was even more mouvementé than it is now, I heard some scratching noises outside the front door. In my dressing gown I opened it, to find two youths inspecting their handiwork, a "For Sale" sign on a pole attached to the railings.

Sir: Islington has always been too small an authority to run education properly: we were caught in the fall-out from the abolition of the Inner London Education Authority ("D-minus for schools in London N1", 19 May). Privatising it will do nothing to help education in the borough. The Government needs to reorganise London's education into fewer, larger authorities that can afford to maintain the specialist resources that are needed in inner London, and that cut across borough boundaries that mean little to most people.

Letter:

Sir: Close examination of your Sunday sister's picture (4 May) of the Blairy-eyed Cherie at her Islington door reveals that our new Prime Minister takes The Independent. Clearly a paper for winners.

Walter Swinburn was yesterday given the chance to return to the Classic arena when he was booked by Michael Stoute to partner the Ebor winner, Clerkenwell, in the St Leger.

Plans to build a health club and luxury apartments in north London have been held up by the discovery that more than 12,000 bodies lie below the site.

Garth Ellis, 7, being made up by his mother Kath in the build- up to his first public appearance as a clown. Garth first went to a circus when he was three and became captivated by the idea of appearing in the ring.

Ant couple's pounds 15,000

From Ms Liz Davies

From Mr Nick Moreton

From Mr Julian Glover