Why John’s Today job must go to a man Swept away
JOHN HUMPHRYS is hanging up his microphone after a long and distinguished career on Radio 4’s Today programme. I am not happy that there is a strong possibility his replacement will be a woman. Why must every position in public life be filled by a female? The Today programme already has a woman editor and two female presenters. Radio 2 has been overwhelmed with women presenters, so the only programme I can still enjoy is Ken Bruce’s show. As a woman, I like listening to restrained, deep, melodic, masculine tones. I hope the BBC tries to maintain a balance between the sexes with John Humphrys’s replacement. KATE MANNING, Wittersham, Kent. FOR more than 30 years, John Humphrys has been the ‘listeners’ presenter’, always unafraid to ask unpopular questions and willing to stick his head above the parapet to seek the truth. I will miss his energy, curiosity and persistence. He is irreplaceable.
S. LANGSTON, Bromley, Kent. YES, I think it is time for Mr Humphrys to retire. He’s had me out of bed many times by saying it’s 7.45am when, in fact, it was 6.45am. Last week, he said it was Tuesday when it was Wednesday. No wonder I get befuddled! BARRY LAZENBURY, Yate, Gloucs. I WAS surprised to be woken at 5.45am when a gritter drove pass my house, especially as the outside temperature was 5c.
Imagine my feelings when 20 minutes later a road sweeper went past clearing up all the grit!
Shropshire County Council has announced an inflation-busting council tax rise of 4 per cent. I wonder what it’s spending it on ...
IAN ANDERSON, Broseley, Shropshire.