Away with the fairies

SIR – I was very interested in your article on the fascinating story of the Cottingley Fairies (Arts, July 17).

Apart from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who was a doctor, two eminent scientists of the time, Sir Oliver Lodge and Sir William Crookes, were, for a time at least, almost convinced of the authenticity of the photographs.

Both Sir Oliver and Sir William had developed a strong interest in spiritualism – both of them having lost members of their respective families in the Great War. Brian Checkland

Thingwall