Billy Simpson’s swan song was beautifully sung (Belfast Telegraph, September 1).

I would not have expected less. His words have beat out their gentle rhythms to kick-start more of my weeks than I care to remember.

So it was with shock and disbelief that I learned that this was to be his last appearance in the Belfast Telegraph. His lovely column has been like a reliable friend.

I have chuckled over many a ‘chet’ with Mrs Egnes Johnston in Cherryvalley and felt myself sympathising with long suffering Daphne (or long suffering Billy) in their everyday dance of life.

I haven’t got a dog, but who needs a dog when you’ve got Harvey? Billy wrote elegantly, with knowledge and style, and he wrote from the heart.

He wasn’t afraid to take on the bullies, the pompous or point up the plain ridiculous. But most of all, he never failed to make me laugh.

Has the Belfast Telegraph not heard Alistair Darling’s warning of depression ahead? We have been the lucky ones, Billy.

We have been privileged.

S A

Downpatrick