Public confidence in the Chancellor's judgment is lower than ever
SIR – During my career as a journalist and producer, I worked at TV-am as an occasional researcher for Sir David Frost. A highlight was a post-show breakfast one Sunday in 1989 with Sir David and a guest I had booked for the show – Frederick Forsyth (Obituaries, June 10).
It was fascinating listening to both men discuss their careers, Mr Forsyth's writing and the general state of the world – over plates piled high with eggs and bacon. Mr Forsyth was kindness and civility personified, and, at one point, deep into a trenchant analysis of the geopolitical future of Russia, turned to me and said, 'What do you think, Gary?' I nearly fell off my chair
To this day, I treasure my battered copies of The Day of the Jackal and The Odessa File, which he signed for me that morning, but I treasure more the kindness and encouragement he offered to that young hack. Sometimes it's great to meet your heroes.
Gary Curtis
Wexford, Ireland
SIR – I first met Freddie Forsyth in 1968, when he was a journalist in Biafra, and was often at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at Umuahia. If wounded Biafran soldiers were being brought in, it meant the Biafrans were advancing; if none were injured, the front was in full retreat. Freddie was always hungry for a story and, knowing that I was associated with the relief airlift, he would trade cigarettes for information.
Many years later, in 2000, he kindly wrote a foreword for my book, Shadows, and came to a launch party in the House of Commons.
Michael Draper
Nether Wallop, Hampshire
SIR – For the past 13 years, Frederick Forsyth had table seven in our pub, The Jolly Cricketers, booked on a permanent basis. The reservation sign simply said 'Freddie 1pm'. He would arrive through the front door, with a copy of The Telegraph folded under his arm. He would then nod and smile at the landlord, before taking his seat for lunch, and he always completed the crossword before leaving.
Freddie was a loyal supporter of the pub and a dear friend. He was our 007. We had a plaque put on the wall to mark Crossword Corner.
Chris and Amanda Lillitou
Seer Green, Buckinghamshire
SIR – I was sorry to hear of the death of Frederick Forsyth. As well as greatly enjoying his books, I was always uplifted by reading his excellent and thoughtful letters to The Telegraph. I shall miss his common sense.
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