Hoorah for the older, smarter man

ROSEMARY Goring writes of Dominic Cummings, “barely a day passes without an image of him scurrying past snappers in a symphony of greys and blacks, from a beanie hat and T-shirt or creased, untucked shirt and low-slung jeans” (“Why can’t men be bothered to dress properly nowadays?”, The Herald, February 19).

Perhaps I am a bit daft about people who look like waifs and strays but on seeing photographs of Dominic Cummings I usually think – poor wee mannie, he looks so sad and sometimes rather lost; he needs taking in hand by a good old-fashioned granny; just to sort him out a bit. Then I remember what he is allowing (maybe encouraging, instigating even) to happen to British politics now and I think that a smack on the legs might be more effective.

Otherwise Ms Goring is right, we do not see too many smartlydressed chaps around, and when we do they are usually the more mature ones. Hooray for older, well-dressed men.

Thelma Edwards, Kelso.

I FULLY support Rosemary Goring when she writes: “Making a sartorial effort is tangible way of expressing respect, not merely for yourself but for others.”

I often upbraid friends for, on a special night out, appearing in jeans and T-shirts whilst accompanying the ladies in their lives who have taken the trouble to dress and coiffure beautifully.

I wonder whether the churches’ bigwigs thought they could stem the leaching of Sunday attendances by declaring “Come as you are. No need to ‘Dress for the Lord’ any more”. If they did their advice has been proven wrong, judging by still-falling numbers but noting that there is an increase in slovenly-dressed attendees.

Come on, boys. Spruce up. You might come to like it.

W Raymond Shaw,

Glasgow G41.

Free pass on bridge

IF a United Ireland comes into being, along with an Independent Scotland inside the EU, is it possible that the EU will foot the bill for the “Boris Bridge”? In that case I suggest that for the time being Boris Johnson keeps his hand firmly in his pocket. Jack Ransom, Largs.

Smoke and fire

I MAKE no defence for visitors and patients sadly smoking at hospital entrances or grounds and I understand Catherine Taylor’s representations to her local hospital (Letters, February 19 ). However, when visiting Gartnavel General

Hospital 25 years ago I came across two patients in the day room, one with no legs, the other with one leg, both in wheelchairs, and smoking, who were then joined by a patient, also smoking, with a nasogastric tube, pushing a drip stand.

Three patients, all smoking, with three legs between them. The banter was good, and I grudgingly had to admire their Glesca insouciance.

R Russell Smith, Kilbirnie.