Faith & Reflection: Voices from the Black Church and Beyond
- Debate over who counts as a creative, with writers insisting it's limited to arts, excluding scientists and engineers.
- Attending Bradford City of Culture 2025 convinced some that "creative" means only painters and poets.
- Reminder that a comedian elected by a European electorate once became unexpectedly serious, a caution for the upcoming byelection.
- A humanist funeral disappointed when the celebrant asked mourners to "believe in humanity".
- Personal water-saving: reduced shower to one minute and 15 seconds with no complaints so far.
I remember fondly Jimmy Cricket (No smut, no swearing, wrong-feet wellies and a silly hat: the gentle comedy world of Jimmy Cricket, 4 August) taking over the intercom from the cabin crew who had just announced our flight to Manchester would be delayed. Groans from the passengers quickly gave way to laughter as Jimmy read a letter from the mammy in Ireland and the next hour passed so enjoyably that when the pilot announced take off, disappointment could be heard.
Martin Brayford
Altrincham, Cheshire
Goodness me, Mick Foster (Letters, 3 August)! Don’t you know that “creativity” is the sole prerogative of the arts? As someone who has recently lived through Bradford City of Culture 2025, I have also learned that a “creative” is someone who paints or is a poet. No way can scientists be allowed in. What next? Engineers?
Les Brook
Saltaire, West Yorkshire
As the byelection approaches (Report, 3 August), it might be worth reminding Clacton voters that the last comedian chosen by a European electorate turned out to be very serious indeed.
Shareen Campbell
Bristol
Years ago, I attended a humanist funeral (Letters, 2 August). I was excited to discover a form of funeral in which we didn’t have to believe in God, but this was spoiled by the celebrant explaining that we should believe in humanity. I couldn’t do that either.
Stuart Waterworth
Tavistock, Devon
To use less water, I have reduced my shower time to one minute and 15 seconds; I’ve had no complaints so far from my nearest and dearest.
Julia Draper
Bath
Read the full article on the original source
