What a brilliant message of hope for the new year (As the Israeli bombs fell, my family committed an act of rebellion: we planted a garden in Gaza, 8 January). Taqwa Ahmed al-Wawi’s article is inspirational for those who believe in the real world of human life and reject the synthetic values of a world viewed as real estate.
Ruth Baker
Matfield, Kent
Years ago there was an advert for the railways with the slogan “This is the age of the train” (Letters, 7 January). On one of them someone had written “This train takes ages”.
Maggie Rylance
Winchester
Regarding the curtness or otherwise of Aberdeen shop assistants (Letters, 9 January), in Russia, a waiter taking your order will say “Slushayu” (I’m listening).
Harry D Watson
Edinburgh
I can’t help feeling that the residents must be disgusted (Tunbridge Wells residents without water again as supplier blames cold weather, 8 January).
Hilary Clarkson
Manfield, Darlington
I’m not sure how many readers are familiar with startups valued at over $1bn, but I suspect that most will know the name of a certain mythical horse (Quick crossword, 9 January).
Anne Unseld
Beckenham, London
“50 places to go in 2026” says your front page (10 January). To go? Or to smugly count how many you have been to? (14 by the way).
John Quigley
Walsall, West Midlands