The first thing I used to do on buying the Sunday Herald was to see whether the Diary of Alan Taylor was included.

On reading it, with many a grin and chuckle, I felt set up for the rest of the day. Alas, the Diary is no more, and on Sunday I am plunged into a sea of gloom.

I particularly liked the way Mr Taylor contorted the names of the great and the good, to produce characters such as Alexei Salmonella and Camilla Loose Bowels.

I can of course still enjoy Taylor on Tuesday in your sister paper. Apart from that, I am inconsolable.

Sic transit gloria mundi!

John Campkin

Dunoon