MANY years ago, after a convivial Burns Night supper, my car was stopped by a police sergeant and constable.

As my attempts to walk a straight line and recite ‘the Leith police dismisseth us’ did not impress them I was persuaded, as a goodwill gesture, to buy a couple of tickets to the Edinburgh Police Ball.

In view of the occasion the sergeant’s statutory words of advice came straight from Burns: ‘Facts are chiels that winna ding and downa be disputed’.

In other words, you cannot argue against facts.

As is so often the case the word ‘facts’ appears to have changed its meaning. It used to mean an event which had clearly happened and was indisputable in itself.

Now a fact is often something yet to occur, if it ever does, but is attested by someone of importance.

For example the governor of the Bank of England suggested that after Brexit the price of houses could fall by a third.

This is obvious nonsense and Mr Carney has an impressive record of wrong forecasts but many of his Remain acolytes regard it as an established fact.

One just needs to read the letters pages of our newspapers or listen to and watch BBC News to appreciate the extent of this naivete (or calculated “false news”).

A V Martin,

Westfield Close,

Wigginton, York

Get baking to help Stroke Association

WHETHER I’m cooking at my restaurant, on TV or for my family, I think there’s nothing like the smell and taste of home baking.

That’s why I’m on a mission to get local residents baking this October to raise vital funds for the Stroke Association.

Stroke is much closer than many people think: there are over 1.2 million people in the UK living with the effects of stroke.

Almost two thirds of stroke survivors leave hospital with a disability.

Every day people have to re-learn to do the things they’ve always done.

The Stroke Association provides much-needed hope, inspiration, advice and support to thousands of people affected by stroke and their loved ones.

Between October 22 and October 28, the charity is calling on people to take part in Give a Hand and Bake: a fun and delicious way to help people whose lives have been impacted by this condition.

Whether you prefer to bake brownies for the office or to host an afternoon tea party with friends and family, there are lots of ways your baking can rise to the challenge.

The Stroke Association has a handful of ideas to help you get started: just visit www.stroke.org.uk/giveahand to download or request a pack.

Rachel Khoo,

The Stroke Association,

St James’s House,

Pendleton Way,

Salford