The late Peter Preston’s gem of a view about clearing his stepfather’s house (Little boxes of past lives, 12 December 2005) puts into context your recent letters on this topic, expressed in an elegiac tenor that approaches the words of the incomparable, and also sadly late, Ian Jack. I give copies of the article to friends, but it doesn’t seem to spur them into getting rid of their own hoarded items.
Tom Epton
Topsham, Devon
• I found a cache of 35mm film canisters – two black bins full of them – during a house clearance (Letters, 16 December). Now looking for good homes.
Ros Westwood
Buxton, Derbyshire
