"WE all have to reach a certain point and that point is going to be a horrific point in terms of death. But it is also a point at which things are going to start changing.

"There's a governor (Pritzler of Illinois) I hear complaining all the time. He has not performed well" – President Donald Trump.

"Today once again many will feel a painful sense of separation from their loved ones. But now, as then, we know, deep down, that it is the right thing to do

"Better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again" – Her Majesty the Queen.

In the debate concerning an elected political head of state or a constitutional monarch: no contest.

Rev John M A Thomson, Hamilton.

Calling all comics

AT a time when the news is dominated by the sad statistics of the impact of Covid 19 worldwide we search for a ray of sunshine.

As some readers of these pages will recall, during the dark days of the Second World War, the country's morale was lifted by the humour of Tommy Handley and the programme ITMA (It's That Man Again).

This was the start of catchphrases, some of which still resonate to this day. Many will remember the voice of Mrs Mopp,"Can I do yer now, sir?" and her breezy "TTFN" (ta ta for now). Colonel Chinstrap contributed his " I don't mind if I do" usually in response to the offer of a G&T.

Perhaps readers would care to nominate today's Tommy Handley, a comedian to lift our spirits? Names of members of the Government are not eligible.

Malcolm Allan (It's being so cheerful that keeps me going), Bishopbriggs.

Cathedral call

TODAY (April 5) I watched a televised recording of Songs of Praise from Glasgow Cathedral and was reminded of the majesty of the cathedral both inside and out. I can remember as a youngster being awed by it all when each year my family attended the special service on Christmas morning.

With a more critical eye these days, I was disappointed by the darkness of much of the stonework both inside and out, which compares unfavourably with many cathedrals elsewhere and most old sandstone buildings in Glasgow, which have been cleaned of this ingrained soot stain to restore them to their intended magnificent appearance. For the benefit particularly of future generations, can nothing be done likewise to Glasgow Cathedral, or would that be too costly?

Alan Fitzpatrick, Dunlop.

A taste for pea soup

I ENJOYED Monday's Those Were The Days feature ("Foggy days in the Fifties", The Herald, April 6). We called these foggy days "pea soupers" and one literally couldn’t see through them. I remember sitting in my father’s car driving home from work in Bridgeton at 6pm, following the tram lines at snail’s pace to stay in a straight line on the road.

Those were the days, indeed.

Sylvia Levitus, Glasgow G46.

Loss of an eccentric

THE last public utterance of Marquess Alexander Thynn of Bath (Lord Longleat) was to say that those defying the "stay at home unless essential" advice were welcome to walk across his lands – so long as it was at dinner time (lions aren't fussed if you have coronavirus or not). He died in much the same irony he lived his extraordinary life.

A proud champion of animals, the neglected region of Wessex and more bawdy flights of fancy, he was truly one of our Great British eccentrics.

Mark Boyle, Johnstone.