IN no way would I like to belittle the difficulties suffered by those with Tourette's syndrome. I think, however, that the person from the related charity who wants Olaf Falafel to apologise for his punning "florets" joke (voted best at this year's Fringe), should lighten up. It certainly wouldn't have been malicious in intent.
I'm bald, "speccy" and ageing, but am not going to run to a corner crying if a comedian mentions any of these characteristics in their act.
As human evolution seems lately to have included a skin that is becoming thinner and thinner all the time, source material for "acceptable" comedy will become more and more limited. I certainly do not like "cruel" comedy , but fear we may soon be down to the level of "Why did the chicken cross the road?". Oh, sorry, I've probably just offended the vegetarians.
Brian Johnston, Torrance.
A rare talent
I NOTED with dismay your obituary for Diana Henderson (The Herald, August 21), whom I knew. I should like to mention a little interlude in her busy life. As an Education Department official I set up a History of Education Centre in an under-used school, but with no budget. Under the Job Creation Scheme I recruited a team to develop and work the centre. Diana Henderson was appointed supervisor. At the time I wondered why such a talented person could have been unemployed.
Diana was superb, setting up systems, allocating roles, scattering ideas and training people in a vulnerable situation. Discipline was firm and morale high. It could not last for ever, but the work that she had led kept the centre going for several years.
Her Highland Soldier is, quite simply, the best book on the subject.
Walter M Stephen, Edinburgh EH10.
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