In hope of finding the Shellduck

Mr Harold Brend
Friday 30 June 1995 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

From Mr Harold Brend

Sir: I was distressed to see, in your photograph of plastic ducks on the Cam, that few of them had managed to maintain an upright stance (Home News, 22 June).

I have long had an affection for these appealing creatures, and can remember the time when they were rubber, upstanding and British. Since the importation from countries lacking this nation's great traditions of marine engineering, the standard has fallen lamentably.

Would it be possible to form an alliance between Canardophiles and the designers of Shell's Brent Spar platform who seem, in a similarly aquatic environment, to have solved the problem of stability satisfactorily, if expensively. Such a collaboration could benefit both sides and would enable this great country of ours to hold up its head - and its ducks - again in the international community.

I am, Sir,

Yours faithfully,

Harold Brend

Hitchin, Hertfordshire

24 June

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in