I am fairly sure, although I could be wrong and hope that you will correct me, that receiving such a strange envelope through the post came as something of a surprise to both you and your family. It is by a Japanese artist called Miyuli and he calls it Red and the Wolf which, as…

One of several interesting ideas I gained from reading your letter was that of letter writing being a project; something which I would welcome in the right place and certainly support, hut which is not what I tend to do. If it were possible to convince more younger people of the benefits of letter writing,…

What got me was when you wrote that you miss letter writing, that you miss the wonderful art of communication handed down to us by our forefathers over many generations which has brought so much joy, and sadness, into families and friendships, as well as broadening our horizons, opening our eyes to foreign lands, peoples…

Two letters arriving on the same day, I feel honoured although, at the same time, concerned that you do not use up all your limited financial means in writing when there are many other things I am sure you wish and, of course, you always have the possibility of writing to me through electronic mail,…

I have, close to hand, about six hundred letters dating back to the Nineties – although fifty or so are from this year – and can guarantee there are several which have postage stamps no one cancelled on them. One which immediately comes to mind is a very large and ornate Australian issue with Queen…

It is easy to have a discussion but impossible to have a debate when everyone has the same opinion, which is why panels incorporating people from many divergent backgrounds have the most success, which is why Socrates and Parmenides were able to debate and so many other people from our past. Today it is normal…

There are those, I am told, who simply give up and allow the course of events to wash over them as if there is no future, no past, and most certainly no present. They remove themselves, both as a person who should answer for actions and beliefs and as a member of society, from all…

Ease of use is one thing, ease of access is quite another. It’s not that I have anything against this modern technology, with the idea of being instantly in touch with people, no matter where they are, at all times of the day and night, it’s just that it really cannot work that way. We…

Have you ever wondered where we gain our inspiration? I am told that some of the greatest artists need a certain level of noise, or warmth, perhaps even the sound of someone’s voice before the Muse strikes them. Others can find inspiration in a cup of tea and a biscuit, and then write one of…

One of the things that I find fascinating about younger people is their firm belief that when they have planned something, no matter what it is, how simple or complicated, it will work without any problems whatsoever. They are so convinced of themselves, of their future, of the plan they have made, they cannot see…