The People's Friend

I’d Like To Know

-

Q I’m curious to know how many different types of owl there are here in the UK?

Mrs E.P., Dunfermlin­e.

A You can find six types in the UK – the tawny or brown owl, little owl, shorteared owl, long-eared owl, barn owl and the European eagle owl (though the latter divides opinion as to whether it can be classed as a native bird). The tawny owl is the most common.

Q I was interested to read recently about the difference between sultanas and raisins. It got me thinking about seedless grapes and if there are any seedless cherries available? It’s a fruit I love, but the kernels annoy me.

Mrs I.G., Arbroath.

A Cherries, along with other “drupes” (stone fruit) such as nectarines, plums and peaches, require the stone for the flesh to grow.

It’s thought the Romans introduced cherries to the UK in the first century AD and the first cherry orchard was grown in the UK on the orders of Henry VIII.

Q I have started to read John Grisham’s books and they are so good. I wonder if any have been made into films?

Mrs S.S., East Grinstead.

A Yes, there have been many movies based on the American novelist’s gripping thrillers: “The Firm” starring Tom Cruise and Gene Hackman, “The Pelican Brief” with Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington and “The Rainmaker” with Matt Damon and Danny Devito, to name a few.

Prior to becoming an author, Grisham was a politician and lawyer, so it is little wonder his courtroomb­ased thrillers are so accurate!

He gave up law to focus on his writing and his books have been translated into more than 40 languages.

 ??  ??
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom