Admiring the Spire

Sir, – Whether one likes or dislikes the Spire, architect Ian Richie and engineering firm Arup’s creation has to be admired for, if nothing else, high technical achievement.

Peter Lynch's learned article about our slender and elegant cone has supplied us with an insight into the means devised to counteract the impact of natural forces acting upon it ("How the Spire sways with the wind but stays upright", February 9th). Perhaps we might prevail upon Peter Lynch to enlighten us further upon the additional force of nature so evident during bright and sunny days – the quite noticeable bend away from the sunny side, and this no doubt caused by the thermal expansion of the heated face.

If the wind can bend the tip a metre or so what does solar power achieve? – Yours, etc,

KEN WIGHAM,

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Dunmore East,

Co Waterford.