Sir, – Every year we have the usual debate about the first day of spring. Scientists and traditionalists debate and disagree, but they are all incorrect. For me, and I feel sure for many others, the first day of spring is the first sighting on our television screens at some GAA grounds of the black-and-yellow sign bearing the legend “John 3:7”. The actual date is irrelevant. John (can I refer to him as John?) has emerged from his winter hibernation. The long dark night of winter has finally ended. Roll on the the welcome days of spring, the lengthening evenings and the lazy, balmy days of summer as we follow John’s pilgrimages around Ireland’s fields of dreams. – Yours, etc,
VINCENT ALLEN,
Castleknock,
Dublin 15.