I COULDN'T care less which way Richard Branson wore his kilt (Diary, April 8) but was very annoyed to see yet again, a "personality" spraying champagne, which takes years of tender loving care to produce, over an object.

What did people do before they could afford to buy champagne? It should be respected.

Does this tradition stem from the launching of a ship?

Whatever, I reckon it's an insult to the vintners.

Joy Crawshaw,

Hempland Avenue,

York.

Updated: 10:57 Tuesday, April 13, 2004