This week's selection of letters to the Guardian reveals a nation divided by vegetable nomenclature, passionate about football history, and dedicated to horticultural diversity. Readers from Hammersmith to Badby have shared their insights, corrections, and gardening tips.
The Great Root Vegetable Debate: A Tale of Two Cities
A reader's lifelong confusion highlights a fascinating regional divide in UK vegetable names. Linda Seal, who grew up in Sunderland, explains that the large, round vegetable with orange flesh was always known as a turnip, while the smaller purple and cream one with white flesh was called a swede.
However, upon moving to London 57 years ago, she discovered the names were completely reversed. "After 57 years of living in London, I'm still confused," Seal writes from Hammersmith, demonstrating how local dialects can create enduring culinary puzzles.
Setting the Record Straight on Swindon Town's History
In a pointed correction to a recent quiz, David Bibby from Bramley, Hampshire, addresses a common misconception about Swindon Town Football Club. The club was incorrectly listed alongside Juventus and Marseille as having had league titles stripped.
Bibby clarifies the historical record: in 1990, Swindon Town finished second in the old Second Division and won the playoff final, but were then denied promotion due to financial misconduct. Crucially, as they never actually won a title that season, they could not have had one stripped away.
Gardening for Good: Sharing Blooms and Biodiversity
From Northamptonshire, Jocelyn Hartland-Swann writes about participating in the National Garden Scheme, opening private gardens to the public for charity. She reports that aquilegia, geranium, and verbascum plants flourish in their garden, and visitors are encouraged to take seedlings and small plants.
Embracing a call to safeguard floral diversity, Hartland-Swann notes they are trying out the more unusual thalictrum. This practice supports both charitable causes and the wider diversity of UK garden blooms.
Finally, a letter from Reading offers a wry observation on the timing of political news, linking the story of Robert Jenrick's move to the Reform party with the popular television show The Traitors.
The Guardian continues to invite opinions from its readers, considering them for publication in its daily letters section, maintaining a vibrant forum for public debate and personal anecdote.
