QUESTIONS

Q : When my father used to make ginger beer, he used a ginger beer plant. What is this?

Walter Purvis, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Q : The hat worn by Australian military personnel has a marked fold on its left side. Is there a historical or technical reason for this?

Peter Lewin, Kings Langley, Herts.

Q : Where was coffee first drunk?

Richard Coleman, Church Stretton, Shropshire.