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Bad sense of spell

Over the past 30 years I’ve become less tolerant of sloppy spelling – I see it everywhere, but especially on pub menu boards, eg ‘Bubble and squeek’.

We’ve been through this era of spelling as it sounds and not being taught how it is actually spelled. In my days at primary school, we had a spelling test of a dozen words daily, hence my spelling is perfect, not purrfect! I flew through my 11+, grammar school and college. I also read an enormous amount of books – I have done since I was eight, going on the bus to Sheffield Central Library and being able to take out nine books over a period of three weeks.

In step A reader highlights that education is important, but morris dancing is importanter!

ALAMY, GETTY

I’ll leave you with a T-shirt I saw at Sidmouth Folk Festival emblazoned with this: ‘Education is important but morris dancing is importanter’. I am a morris dancer.

Nick Lambert Colyford, East Devon

Soul music

My wife and I enjoyed Sally Magnusson’s column (April). We were especially taken by her story about her mother suffering with dementia being perked up by songs she remembered that sparked happy memories.

I can remember time spent with my mother in a care home where most of the residents had some degree of dementia. At the end of lunchtime, with most of us still in the dining room, my mother started humming a tune. I joined in with some of the words I knew. This sparked off two other residents and suddenly we had a spontaneous singsong. Between us, we remembered a few more old songs and half an hour later, there were many more smiling faces and animated chatter. I think the starter was, ‘My old man said follow the van’.

Sally’s suggestion about creating a personal playlist led my wife and I to start one of our own. So far, we have Andy Williams’ Almost There, just before our wedding; Carpenters’ We’ve Only Just Begun, just after our wedding; and Michael Ball’s Love Changes Everything.

Roger Farrall Winchester, Hampshire

Family matters

Reading Sally Magnusson’s column really struck a chord, as my husband also lives with dementia. Coming from Italy to England in 1961, he learned English by listening to pop records (in those days you were also given the words to follow). Now he often repeats the words to these songs, especially Chuck Berry. We often hear ‘“C’est la vie,” say the old folks. It goes to show you never can tell.’ Maybe I should make him a playlist.

Jacky D’Avanzo, Ditton, Kent

Snow positive

Ah! The esteemed Jon Snow (April). Yet another reason to subscribe to Saga Magazine. I’m pleased to note that among the things I have in common with Mr Snow are brightly coloured socks – though nowadays mine have to cover aged and slightly swollen ankles – and my optimism abounds too.

As I am well past that three quarters of a century milestone, I must now be eligible to offer a little advice to anyone giving any thought to retirement.

Do continue to keep busy; persist in the things you love to do, providing they are not illegal or immoral; and try never saying to yourself, ‘I can’t be bothered’ to do this or that, because one day you might say, ‘I can’t be bothered to get out of bed in the morning’.