[John Whitworth]

I have just spoken to a most courteous man called Charles in the Accounts Department on 0207 9610032, who told me he has just written ouit many cheques, some to Competition winners, all awaiting signature today. If you are a regular winner (say three times a yearish; that's my take on it) and you ring him with your bank details (sort code and account number) then you will in future be paid more expeditiously straight into your bank account.

[FOsen]

The service is not available to residents of the USA - or so he emailed me a few weeks ago.

Frank

[Chris O'Carroll]

What was posted in London on the 28th of January and arrived in Kansas today?

If you guessed Spectator prize money, you are correct.

Let's give three hails and one more hail
For the trans-Atlantic prowess of the Royal Mail.

[Maryann Corbett]

I'm happy for all these check recipients--but WHERE ARE MAZ'S BOOKS?? which were mailed weeks ago?

Okay, now back to your regularly scheduled Speccie.

[Julie Steiner]

Let's make sure we're sticking pins in the right voodoo dolls, Maryann. The screw-up is probably with the US Postal Service, or (more likely) the Department of Homeland Security, not the noble men and women of the Royal Mail, who did, after all, manage to get Maz's books to Australia and Israel expeditiously.

Now back to the Speccie specie specifics.

[Lance Levens]

Oldie prize money now in my hot little hands. Tea and cakes en route.

[John Whitworth]

The cakes are really good. The tea is pretty strong stuff.