Given that Donetsk was founded by the engineer John Hughes and that Gareth Jones was the first journalist to draw the world’s attention to Stalin’s weaponisation of food that led to the 1930s famine in Ukraine, wouldn’t it be fitting if the Eurovision song contest were to be held next year in Wales (UK to host Eurovision song contest in 2023 on behalf of Ukraine, 25 July)?
Scott Martingell
Berlin, Germany
• Delighted as I was to read Jon Bounds’ article (Brutalism, brilliant brews and the balti triangle: 20 reasons to love Birmingham, 28 July), I have to put in a word for some of the many great writers from the city. They include, naming just the ones I have read, JRR Tolkien, Jim Crace, Kit de Waal, John Wyndham, Jonathan Coe and lastly the multi-talented Osman Yousefzada, who is both an artist and writer.
Sarah Akhtar
Stoke-on-Trent
• Jasper Carrott was unfairly excluded from the “Comedy genius” section of Jon Bounds’ article – a true Brummie and a cheerleader for all us proud Brummies through his high-profile support of Birmingham City FC.
Mark Phillips
Near Sawrey, Cumbria
• Your report (22 July) says ragwort is “supposedly noxious”. In fact, when dry, it kills animals. In August 2002, you reported an estimate of 500 attributable horse deaths in Britain in the previous year.
David Page
Starston, Norfolk
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