Raising a glass

SIR – I have fond memories of Leighton James (Obituaries, April 26) for two reasons.

First, in the early 1970s I was a season ticket holder at Burnley, and enjoyed his speed and agility on many occasions.

Secondly, his transfer to Derby for £310,000 in November 1975 was completed on the day our first child, a son, had been born in the early hours.

I decided to celebrate that evening with a drink or two at my local in Rossendale – and, to my surprise, found Leighton in the tap-room drinking champagne with friends.

Having told Roland, the landlord, the cause for my celebration, he said

I’d better do it in style with champagne. “No, I’ll have a pint of bitter, thanks – I can’t afford champagne,” I replied.

Roland gave me a wink and nodded in Leighton’s direction. “Maybe, but he can,” he said, promptly opening another bottle and giving it to me. “I’ll put it on his bill.”

So cheers, Leighton, and thanks for your generosity (even though you were unaware of it) on that cold, foggy night when we both had something to celebrate.

Alan Hollowood

Shillingstone, Dorset

SIR – With regard to first drinks (Letters, April 26), one of my earliest and fondest memories is of visiting my great-grandmother in the west of Ireland some 60 years ago and tasting a hot toddy. I think I was five, and I still enjoy the drink.

I believe she also had some poitín in a cupboard for her arthritis, though the advice was to rub this on rather than imbibe it.

John Hopkins

Beckenham, Kent

SIR – Jacqueline Davies (Letters, April 26) says Babycham turned her into a sensible drinker. My lesson was on a Christmas morning when my father, who wasn’t a regular drinker, gave me a tot of whisky in my cup of tea. I’ve never drunk whisky since.

Val Harbidge

Cowling, North Yorkshire