WITH reference to the brilliant article (Oxford Mail, January 7) about Thomas Taphouse’s ceremonial truncheon, which was presented to him to mark the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902.

It was lovely to read that this piece of historic property belonging to the late Thomas Taphouse, who owned the well-known Oxford music shop, which was in Magdalen Street until the 1980s, has been returned to Oxford.

With reference to (Oxford Mail, January 8), the article from councillor Susanna Pressel, stating that Taphouse music shop was in High Street, I think you will find this was Acott’s and later Russell Acott at 124 High Street, which is now a coffee bar, All Bar One, and the tiled step still shows Acott.

I have been doing a lot of research for a book I have been writing about the old shops of Oxford, which is to be published later this year, including photographs of the Taphouse music shop, which was in Magdalen Street, next door to Elliston and Cavell.

HAZEL BLEAY (Mrs), Swan Walk, Thame