STEPHEN Lewis' review of Yorkshire Witchcraft, Charms And Cures (Yesterday Once More, March 28) brings to mind my teenage bumper crop of styes.

They passed from one eyelash to another, each more spectacular than the last, prompting advice from some members of the public I met in the course of my work.

I listened patiently through half-closed eyes and, occasionally, through (I thought rather glamorous) tinted lenses.

These "remedies" were often lurid and included applying a spittle-enhanced wedding ring to the offending blemishes and a course of brewer's yeast, which appeared to move around in its jar.

The thrilling practice of plucking out eyelashes was also mentioned.

Thoughts of this were to prepare me for witnessing the late, great Charles Laughton as King Lear going even further with a dramatic gesture involving a couple of seedless green grapes (apparently). Needless to say, the styes cleared up on their own.

Thankfully, no one suggested strapping a toad to my forehead.

Margaret Lawson,

Aldborough House,

The Groves, York.

Updated: 10:15 Thursday, March 31, 2005