Emma Beddingtonâs article amused me (Letâs hear it for the true geniuses: the people who name paints, 22 April). My late husband, the decorative painter John Sutcliffe, who died in September 2022, collaborated very closely with Farrow & Ball to help mix the first batch of colours. He also researched and created the names for which the company became so famous, starting the trend that we all know. John even had one of the colours named after him, Sutcliffe Green, No 78, which just happens to be the age he was when he died.
Gabrielle Sutcliffe
Cambridge
Itâs easy to win âpatriarchy chickenâ (Digested week, 19 April). Without knowing it had a name, Iâve been doing it for years. When a man (or people walking three or more abreast) approaches, behaving as if they donât see me, I just stop walking and stand still. Suddenly, I become visible and their options are to swerve or walk into me. They always swerve. Sometimes they may even think about why I stood still.
Peggy Sellers
Pickering, North Yorkshire
Caroline Lucas has been a rare beacon of hope in a bleak political landscape. It is a sad reflection on the toxicity of that environment that she has decided to give it up, and focus on death (Interview, 22 April).
Raj Parkash
London
I received an email for Christmas Lights at Blenheim on 24 January (Letters, 21 April). Is this the record?
Jean Roxburgh
Milton Keynes
Emma Beddington’s article in Let’s hear it for the true geniuses: the people who name paints on 22 April amused me. My late husband, the decorative painter John Sutcliffe, collaborated closely with Farrow & Ball to help mix the first batch of colors and create the iconic names for which the company is known. He even had a color named after him, Sutcliffe Green, No 78, which coincidentally was his age when he passed away.
Gabrielle Sutcliffe
Cambridge
It’s easy to win “patriarchy chicken” as mentioned in Digested week on 19 April. I’ve unknowingly been playing this game for years. When a man or a group of people approaches without acknowledging me, I simply stop and stand still, making myself visible. They always choose to swerve around me. Perhaps it makes them think about why I stopped.
Peggy Sellers
Pickering, North Yorkshire
Caroline Lucas has been a beacon of hope in a difficult political landscape. It’s disheartening to see her leave to focus on other matters, as mentioned in the Interview on 22 April.
Raj Parkash
London
I received an email for Christmas Lights at Blenheim on 24 January as mentioned in the Letters on 21 April. Is this a new record?
Jean Roxburgh
Milton Keynes