Allow me to thank leading Lib Dem councillor Ruth Wilkinson for her kind words on my leaving Rose Hill in Oxford (Oxford Mail, June 19).

However, I'm hugely embarrassed by the accompanying headline, Two great stalwarts, and any comparisons with Sue Holden MBE.

I'm not in her league. She's worked tirelessly for Barton for 35 years, and has achieved so much for the estate. She's a legend. She is Barton.

In contrast, I've concerned myself too much with matters of state (about which I can do so little), rather than matters estate.

An inscribed tankard from city councillor Ed Turner would have been nice, though . . .

As for Risinghurst being lucky to have me, it's more a case of me being lucky to be here.

It's idyllic here in CS Lewis country, nestling snugly in the shadow of Shotover Hill. Eat your heart out, Ruth!

Sorry, Ruth, there'll be no more letters for some time as I'm entering a long period of political purdah. But I might be moved to pen a poem or two.

JOHN GREEN Risinghurst Oxford