CHRISTOPHER Wardell’s letter about the high price of beer in some pubs and the need to have Shirley Bassey classics available on their jukeboxes (HAS, July 31) had the ring of truth to it.

Dame Shirley is a fine singer. I have, however, a liking for Ella Fitzgerald’s 1956 recordings of the Great American Songbook and although I do not expect to hear these in a drinking establishment, I have, from time to time in the pub, heard the Rod Stewart version.

As for prices “you pays your money and takes your choice”.

Nothing to be done about it.

LD Wilson, Guisborough.