THOSE seeking a practical alternative to plates for serving food (Letters, Sept 6 & 20), could return to the medieval practice of thick slices of four-day-old brown bread.

These absorb the gravy or sauces, are an extra food item for use by the diner or as a doggy-bag (in the old days, these were given to the poor waiting outside the back door). They would also save the need for washing-up.

Use of slates is merely a pretentious trendy fad.

Jeremy Godwin

Penrith