Sir – I am a great fan of The Oxford Times but sometimes I wish you’d hit your sub-editors over the head with a rolled-up copy of it, as I was frequently when learning the trade (on the Harrogate Herald not The Oxford Times).
In your item (January 14) on page 29, iSoft men due in court, you say these gentlemen “have been summonsed to appear at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court.” As a 16-year-old trainee journalist in the Dark Ages (whoever heard of such a thing nowadays — presumably today’s trainees must have a higher degree in tea-making from the University of Botley and be at least 25 before you even consider them), I was taught in no uncertain terms about the dangers of that sneaky non-verb to summonse.
Bet you the price of next week’s issue that you won’t summon up the courage to let this letter see the light of day.
John Wright, Cumnor Hill
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