A word of cheer to anyone saddened by Prof Brian Butterworth’s letter (20 September): dyscalculia being unheard of in the 1950s and 60s, I struggled miserably with maths at school. As a mature student, I achieved a BA in English literature and history, and later in life studied for an MA in history. Within words I swim as easily as an otter, and thankfully you don’t have to be able to read music in order to sing. Rita Gallard Norwich Get Society Weekly: our newsletter for public service professionals Read more • Re your article (Ministers to pilot New York-style courts in reforms to sentencing, 16 September), 20 years ago we had a more personal and effective system – the probation service. John Griffiths Monmouth, Monmouthshire • I would be sorry to lose your paper wrapper for Saturday’s sections: it can be reused (Letters, 20 September). Every week, I make a book for my preschool granddaughter and your paper wrapper, cut in half and shaped to fit, makes a perfect A5 envelope. Doreen Fryer Birmingham • Contrary to Derek Greatorex, extensive research using the starch-based bags in our household revealed that they fail faster than their paper replacements. Perhaps our waste contains more amylase. Dr Roger Merry Marshfield, Wiltshire • To paraphrase John Ruskin (who dug the footings for the work of William Morris and co), the highest reward for good design is not what we get for it, but what we become by it (Editorial, 20 September).