Simon Jenkins (Rees makes a religion out of science so his bishops can gather their tithe, 25 June) can hardly contain his contempt for the BBC and the Reith lectures. I checked the list of lecturers since Bertrand Russell gave the first in 1948. The balance between philosophy, the arts, history, economics, social science and the sciences is very good. Only about a dozen of the 60 or so lecturers have been scientists – economics and social science have also had their fair share. It was perfect timing for the BBC to invite the president of the Royal Society to deliver the lectures in the 350th anniversary year of its foundation.
Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford University
• Unfortunately this is mainly a list of ex-West Ham players (Letters, 29 June). Maybe if they were still at West Ham they might have recognised each other and managed to pass the ball between themselves rather than to the Germans. It worked for Moore, Hurst and Peters.
Buckhurst Hill, Essex
• Your correspondent is astonished to see a red kite over Reading (Letters, 29 June). I'm astonished if I complete a cycle ride in the Chilterns without seeing at least some of the 400 breeding pairs that have resulted from their re-introduction there 20 years ago. Six other areas of the UK are also lucky recipients of such schemes (see redkite.net).
• Joe Phillips was enthralled by Glastonbury (Letters, 30 June). Rightly so, and although only a TV spectator, I always find the whole event joyous. But how very sad that Joe's great liberal-minded festival goers who apparently care about each other, don't appear to care for our environment, or Michael Eavis. Your picture of the litter-strewn field takes the shine off that otherwise glorious weekend.
• I have often wondered what became of Garonya Baikal, the enigmatic Russian who disappeared from Steve Bell's If... chronicles some years ago. I'm saying nothing more (The spies next door, 30 June).
Bradford, West Yorkshire