Readers' letters - February 10

It's food for the soul

Avoiding so much of the dross on TV, I have been in the habit of watching BBC 4’s Inspector Montalbano series, including the last, Young Montalbano.

They were easy viewing, with the wonderful rustic old architecture of Sicily used as a backcloth. Based on Inspector Montalbano’s detective work, the storylines were different and pleasantly plausible. Being somewhat hard of hearing these days, the subtitles were helpful and did nothing to detract from the plot. I hope there are more to follow, although author Andrea Camileri, at the age of 88 is, in his own words, becoming less productive.

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Last night however, a programme on the same channel was about the life and times of this unique person, Writer, poet, sometime actor, coach and a man with a wonderful philosophy on life. This 50-minute programme was a kaleidoscope of his life, showing also the beauty of this part of the world.

I commend this programme, revealing as it does so many parts of his life, and what unwittingly, we may experience in ours, there being so many parallels with his own, especially if we have lived a long life. Please, if you can do so, do not miss this pearl of a programme, which goes under the title Montalbano and Me by Andrea Camileri. It is food for the soul!

Ernest Lundy via email

Squandering licence cash

Re: I won’t give up free TV licence, I agree most heartedly (WEP Letters, February 6).

Over recent months, there have been several so-called celebs setting off on expensive jollies only to satisfy their own wishes. How many of us would love to travel across the world to some exotic land, just to see if we would like to retire there?

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Then there is the question of how many highly-paid presenters does it take to host a breakfast talk show?

There are many more examples of celebs seeming to determine the topic which determines the programmes. It’s easy to go on about the ease with which the BBC squanders our money.

My ideal programme?

A documentary presented by David Attenborough, with his ability to introduce us to the wonders of nature.

Bob Bradley via email

Impartially is needed

I am writing in regards to your numerous articles on the disappearance of Helen McCourt. I have no connection to the McCourts or the Simms family. It is apparent by the numerous comments on your page that not all people agree with Marie McCourt and they do not support the introduction of ‘Helen’s law’.

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Can I please make you aware that Ian Simms STILL protests his innocence and there are many folk within the area who swear by his innocence. Several claim that statements given to the police at the time were NOT used as evidence in court that could have vindicated Mr Simms.

Whilst I have the upmost empathy for the victim’s mother, to make the individuals who testified against Simms feel threatened, is morally wrong. She has no right to place doubt on the testimony and question their safety.

Nor has she any right to assume Simms will ‘kill’ again.

It would be refreshing if, for once, an article was written impartially regarding the disappearance of Helens McCourt, instead of a ‘witch-hunt approach’ to an individual who is unable to respond.

Tracey Pickavance

St Helens