Eight glasses of water a day is an urban myth

Our new social mobility tsar, Katharine Birbalsingh, appears to believe the urban myth that we need to drink eight glasses of water a day (Social mobility tsar wants campaign against toddlers having mobile phones, 20 October). What other mythical practices will she be trying to impose on our children?
Dr Catherine Wykes
Chellaston, Derbyshire

• The illustration on Tim Dowling’s column (9 October) showed a red squirrel. If that is the culprit eating tomatoes and trashing the lawn, this astonishing survivor in an area long overrun by its grey cousins deserves support rather Mrs D’s persecution.
Peter Lowe
Newcastle upon Tyne

• Having a go at your children’s quiz (16 October), I, a 64-year-old, didn’t get a single correct answer; my two daughters, in their 30s, got one each; and my six-year-old grandson achieved four out of five. Maybe there is hope for the world after all.
Tim Barker
Eastington, Gloucestershire

• Please could you pass on a proposal of marriage from me to Paul, crossword compiler extraordinaire? Thank you. Genius, pure genius.
Sally Colledge
Penygarnedd, Powys

• “Bolsonaro should be charged with crimes against humanity, Covid inquiry finds”, says your headline (20 October). Let’s hope that this starts a trend.
Pete Lavender
Nottingham

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