80-year-old gets premium cut

REGARDING the safety or otherwise of older drivers, I have held a licence for 63 years, covered well over half a million miles, and have just received the renewal notice for my 20-year-old M/X 5 two-seater.

This is a collector’s car policy with comprehensive cover and a mileage limit of 3,000 miles, also with an agreed value. I had wondered if the premium would increase as I had passed my 80th birthday. Last year’s figure was £218. This year’s figure is £204. I think this settles the argument; the insurance companies know who the safe drivers are.

Changing times for winter travel

From: Tim Mickleburgh, Boulevard Avenue, Grimsby.

MICHAEL Iveson may be right in that we make a lot of fuss about a bit of snow these days (Yorkshire Post, December 9). But unlike years ago, we rely more on transport to get us to work and business. That was shown last December when the shops and offices in the centre of Grimsby were shut, but the village of Scartho remained a hub of community activity.

Also, let’s not forget that today’s modern pavements become more hazardous in times of ice than older dirt tracks ever did.

Yellow peril

From: Mike Andrews, Upper Hopton, Mirfield.

WHAT’S all this? So scientists are trying to explain away our cherished buttercup test (Yorkshire Post, December 14).

I would have them know that the test was administered to me at my mother’s knee. I passed with flying colours – no pun intended – and have loved butter ever since.

Whatever next, one wonders. They’ll be telling us soon that there’s no Father Christmas!

Full circle

From: CD Round, Lee Lane East, Horsforth, Leeds.

YOU report (Yorkshire Post, December 12) that we are to have technical academies. What is new? Before the comprehensives came along, we had technical colleges which were very successful in producing trained people for the industrial world.