While being prepared for gallbladder surgery in the Royal Liverpool hospital (Letters, 21 March), a Scouse theatre nurse introduced himself as Gary, and asked if I liked Tchaikovsky. He promised to play his music as I went into the operating theatre, “to calm you down, like”. When the time came, though drowsy from the pre-op injection, I heard Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No 2. “Rachmaninov,” I mumbled. The reply came from behind a mask: “No, mate, it’s Gary. You’ll be OK.” I was.
Rev Nicholas Frayling
Southsea, Portsmouth
• Never mind all the fuss about changing the colour of the cross on the England football shirt (‘Playful update’ to national debate: England kit has begun a culture war, 22 March). Why is nobody kicking up a fuss about the outrageous cost of £125! Nike must be smiling all the way to the bank.
Linda Theobald
London
