The fate of male calves is one of the dairy industry’s dirty secrets (British veal poised for an ‘ethical’ comeback, 27 May). Some are shot dead hours after birth, while many others are transported on extended and terrifying trips when they are just days ancient to be reared on veal farms in Europe. Both mother and baby endure tremendous pain and anxiety when they are separated. By ditching dairy products and switching to milk alternatives, we would be able to spare these calves from the cruel fate that awaits them and spare their mothers the heartbreak of having their babies torn away from them age after age.Ben WilliamsonPress officer, Peta• It is hardly surprising that American English is found to be so pervasive (Report, 29 May) when our two major university publishers at Oxford and Cambridge, along with journal publishers based in the UK, are publishing books and journal papers written in US English. Tom WilsonSheffield • Pan-banging in Quebec (In praise of…, 28 May) is certainly not a fresh manifestation and did not originate in Chile. It has been a custom in Britain for many centuries as “rough music” or the “Skimmington ride”. Hardy’s Mayor of Casterbridge (1884) contains a well-known description of one such public demonstration.Pat O’NeillEastleigh, Hampshire• “The women tin-pan him aal ower the place”, from the Blackleg Miner, written in Northumberland circa 1912. Bob DavenportLondon• In the 50s my mother gave me cheese and marmalade sandwiches wrapped in greaseproof paper to capture on college trips (Letters, 28 May).Chris HardyRoyston, Hertfordshire• Following the publication of letters from both our parents, Sally Mercer and Bruce Ross-Smith, on the same day (28 May), the household is keen to know if this is unique or commonplace, although a response may fuel the dispute as to whether successful letter-writing is a product of nature or nurture.Tom, Elinor and Gabriel PryceOxford twitter.co.uk © 2012 Twitter News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Employ of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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