AT THE risk of being another “boring” letter writer, I did feel for Mr Boswell (Mr Carr’s letter, Viewpoints September 17, in which he also grumbled about me – my shoulders are broad Mr Carr!).

Often I have a chuckle at some of Mr Boswell’s jokes. We all, me included, sometimes need to “lighten up”. I am reminded of the notice on one of the doors in the place I used to work at some years ago. “Out of the gloom, a voice said: smile! Be happy! Things could be worse. So I smiled – I was happy and behold! Things did get worse!” I know I have an odd sense of humour and many may think I’m odd, certainly over the years life has been anything but kind to me – but hey what? As Marmalade sang – Life goes on Ob-la-Di,Ob-la-Da.

Laugh at yourself (and yes I can grumble as well as anyone else and probably better if justified). Keep your jokes coming, Mr Boswell. It reminds me of Edward Lear’s Man from Cape Horn who wished he had never been born.

If life hands you a lemon make some lemonade (although that may take the smile off your face of course) but smile anyway. DOROTHY HOLLOWAY Wenrisc Drive Minster Lovell l ON behalf of the residents who attended the Blackbird Leys Funday on Saturday, I would like to thank all of those who organised or took part in the organising, no matter how small a part they played in making sure that residents had a good time. A lot of hard work went into making sure the event was a success.

BRIAN LESTER

Pegasus Road

Oxford