Briefly :letters

l Concerning the reason for the twisted spire at Chesterfield (Flat Earth, 30 June) I was led to understand that it was twisted, in anger, by the devil when, early in the history of the church, a virgin was married there. God has promised that he will straighten it when a virgin next walks down the aisle.

Keith France, Brussels

l Your article on the suicide of Prince Ernst Leopold ("Did money worries cause Royal suicide", 30 June) states that it "comes almost exactly 100 years after the death of Crown Prince Rupert, heir to the Hapsburg Empire". His name was Rudolf, and he died in 1889 - 107 years ago.

Liam Dunne, London SW18

l Peter Corrigan's lucid arguments in favour of using the number of corner kicks won to settle a deadlocked football match (Sport, 30 June) is an excellent idea. But I fear for the future: Euro 2000 will be seen only on Sky TV where matches will be decided by viewers phoning in or faxing their choices. The "Clapometer" will rule!

Martin Kirby, London SE15

l No need to ponder where the new English style comes from ("A puzzle for the world...", 30 June). "High-spirited and lawless, hard on the energy and fiercely loyal to the friend, loving the bold impulse and the bet at long odds": a perfect description of that glorious Saxon outlaw and hero, Robin Hood. It's in the genes!

Betty Elmer, Grantham, Lincs

l "Who got it right?" (30 June). Not Jason Gee. Sports writers need some knowledge of ....geography. Prague is about the same distance from the Black Sea as it is from London.

Frank Hulford, Leicester

l I cannotagree with Professor Assiter's assertion that "20 years ago it was almost impossible to get into university if you came from the 'lower' occupational groups" (Letters, 30 June). Neil Kinnock and his wife, both from working-class homes met at university almost 40 years ago. They were decades from being the first to do so. Luton is doing great things, it need not claim to have invented the wheel.

Kingsley Jones, Norwich