Want a tan? Take a trip to St Lesmo

Thanks to Kehinde Andrews (Interview with Leila Hassan Howe, 8 October) for drawing attention to the radical transformation of the Institute of Race Relations (IRR) in 1972 and the trajectory that was Race Today. But to complete the tale of that “coup”, it was not individuals like Ambalavaner Sivanandan (though he was its intellectual inspiration) and Leila Hassan Howe who carried the fight against the colonial board but a radicalised staff and huge membership. The IRR continues that radical fight through its research and publications.
Jenny Bourne
Editor, Race & Class

• I’m glad you’ve changed to a paper envelope for the Saturday edition. On turning over my one-year-old compost heap the other day, I found everything beautifully rotted except for several large, only partly decomposed remnants of the “entirely compostable” version you used before. And the paper envelope has a multitude of possible reuses.
Hannah Hyam
Batheaston, Somerset

• Does William Windsor’s concern for the planet (Earthshot prize: Prince William launches £50m drive to repair planet, 8 October) extend to ceasing his participation in “sport” shooting of birds and animals?
Pam Lunn
Kenilworth, Warwickshire

• Holidays in “Argate” (Letters, 8 October)? Luxury! We only got as far as “Winderview”.
Trevor Skempton
Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Powys

• An ex-colleague used to spend his summer holidays at his allotment on St Lesmo Road, Stockport, and return to work deeply tanned. Asked where he’d been, he’d reply “St Lesmo” – to the envy of co-workers who assumed it was a Caribbean island.
David Campion
Timperley, Greater Manchester