Michael Winner seems to have lost a lot of weight lately, which means that he now reminds me harshly of my own mortality.

I have long enjoyed Anjana Ahuja's Science Notebook column in the Times, but does it not seem strange that a major newspaper should allow the bulk of its science reporting to be done by a postgraduate who specialised in space physics (probably the branch of science with the least bearing on our everyday lives). As scientific issues such as cloning and genetic modification, the status of DNA evidence in trials, animal testing and the threat posed by climate change increase there currency in political debetate it is worrying how few MPs, government officials or journalists have a grounding in the physical sciences.

When Cole Porter was played a recording of Ella Fitzgerald, arguably the greatest singer of her age, singing his songs he is said to have remarked only 'what marvelous diction that girl has.' As, in fairness, she does.