Letter to the editor: Thought of the week – the beard is indeed the glory of man, no hair is that of woman.

For a man to shave his beard is contrary to nature as nothing is given that is without purpose. The beard is the principal feature that distinguishes male from female and mature from immature. Many of the greats of history retained their beards: Christ, Abe Lincoln, Einstein, whereas the despots of Europe, Napoleon Bonaparte, Hitler and Stalin were shaven – pity their barber.

Critics of the majestic hirsute and virile male visage are mostly those who fail producing such splendour themselves.

PAUL KELLIHER, Abbey Wood