A reader has suggested a novel solution to prevent swimmers from using the wildlife ponds on Hampstead Heath: displaying images of the large invasive crayfish that now inhabit many of the ponds. In a letter to the editor, Emilia Benjamin of London argued that the sight of the crustaceans, which she described as 'snapping at toes,' would deter swimmers.
The letter was one of several published in response to recent reports about the heath. Benjamin specifically referenced a report from 27 May that highlighted the issue of swimmers using ponds designated for wildlife.
Other letters in the same batch covered topics ranging from the Champions League final to colonial attitudes in passport applications. Dr Michael Paraskos of London recounted how his sister was told by the British Passport Office to change her Greek surname from Paraskou to Paraskos to obtain a passport, which he described as a reflection of colonial attitudes.
Additionally, a reader from Lancashire pointed out a mathematical error in a previous letter about the nine times table, noting that eleven nines equal 99, not a number whose digits sum to nine.
