Phil Hill: I take criticism for my opinions in my stride

But, how do you react when another person, who you may or may not know, anonymously fires off a less-than-resounding endorsement of you?

The first character was a lovely lady I didn’t know from Eve who told me she loves reading my weekly column in the County Gazette - and to ignore “the rude” individual who had written “something nasty” about me online last week.

I checked out the Gazette website and was less upset than I had expected.

The ‘culprit’ had taken to their keyboard after reading my piece chiding young pavement cyclists.

The suggestion was that the Gazette could possibly run a regular column by “someone younger and perhaps female”.

It accused me - and fellow columnist Clinton Rogers - of being “determined to narrowly appeal to the older Daily Mail types”.

I hope I do appeal to ‘older Daily Mail types’ - after all, it is the highest-selling national daily.

I’d also like to think readers of any age or sex of The Sun, The Guardian, The Times, et al would enjoy reading my observations.

While there’s nothing I can do about my age and nothing I plan to change about my gender, I will listen to polite people’s perceptions of what I write.

I wouldn’t simply ignore a well-intentioned constructive comment and, without any further thought, stubbornly stand my ground.

Not everyone has the same tastes, and what interests one person might bore another.

My column related to how a group of youth cyclists tried to force a friend and me to make way for them on a narrow, icy pavement on a dark night.

I stand by what I wrote as it reflected my point of view and I was encouraged that it provoked a discussion of sorts.

But I will listen when someone tells me they believe I’ve slipped up.

I remember Richard Branson once saying he prefers to employ staff who disagree with him as he learns more from them.

Listening to and taking on board differing views from your own helps keep you grounded.

So, thank you to the lovely lady, but equally I have taken note of the keyboard message from the mystery author.