We must keep our views in proportion. The terrorist attack in Berlin (Nine dead in Berlin truck horror, 20 December) was awful, but why are we more upset about it than when a boat full of refugees sinks in the Mediterranean? I wonder how many lives have been saved by Germany’s open door to refugees? How many lost because of our closed door?

Martin Cooper

Bromley, Kent

• After attracting several verbal greetings with additional hand signals as I chug through east Cheshire, I am very relieved to read in your letters (21 December) that the local youth were probably calling me a “lozzucker”.

Ian Grieve

“Gordon Bennett”, Shropshire Union canal

• Hanging around on the pit top to go underground, you would often get from the shift coming out of the pit “Atha laykin lads”. You can still hear it today in some parts of South Yorkshire.

Mike Eggenton

Firbeck, South Yorkshire

• I am an 86-year-old widow. I voted remain. One son voted remain, the other for Brexit. We brought them up to think for themselves, hence no conflict at Christmas (Letters, 23 December).

Brenda Lee

Leicester

• Every day you bring me wit, intelligence and thoughtfulness, without which my life would be very much the poorer. I know I might seem uncaring, never having told you before, but I just want you to know that I do love you. Will you marry me? Your devoted friend,

Peter Hanson

Exeter

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