The BBC’S audience

SIR – Andrew Papworth (Letters, July 22) defends the services provided by the BBC. However, the corporation only caters for some minorities – classical music lovers being the prime example.

It does not cater for the retired audience, which is now pretty large and has particular concerns. It makes special programmes for the Scots and Welsh, but not the English.

In the main the BBC caters for people like its employees: left of centre, sports-mad metropolitans aged between 35 and 55, with little understanding of, and indeed almost contempt for, the views and interests of middle England. Elizabeth Spooner

Wokingham, Berkshire

SIR – In the unlikely event of mass departures from the BBC, the corporation, in its quest to replace them, need look no further than the talented presenters and participants of the World Paralympic Games, which has just concluded in London.

Enthusiasm and smiling faces were the order of the day. It is a pity that the event, as with the ladies’ cricket, was poorly attended. Surely free tickets could be made available in future to associated societies of both sports. Gareth Jones

Bradford-on-avon, Wiltshire