IT CAME as a bit of a shock to discover that Julian Cole, your sometimes insightful, often piquant, occasionally controversial but, most important, ever readable columnist, is about to leave The Press.

Thank you, Julian, for graciously wishing your readers well as you take your leave of us – it’s been a pleasure much of the time, although irritating on occasion.

While occupying similar ground on many issues, there were some areas where we diverged, probably most notably religion. But then you’re a good journalist, out to stimulate as well as interest and to provoke as well as to attract a chorus of “Hear! Hears!”

I’m impressed to learn that you worked for that great institution The Observer, albeit part-time; but it still counts in my estimation, as well as being a favourable CV entry.

Sorry you’re going and “Godspeed” (or your equivalent) for the future to you and your family.

I hope your left-leaning journalistic pen will be effectively wielded in some other arena before long.

Thanks and cheers.

Derek Reed, Middlethorpe Drive, York.