ED ROTHERY (Oxford Mail, March 8) evokes a time where 11-year-old Scouts were allowed to wear knives on their belts; adult disputes were resolved by highly civilised and sophisticated Queensbury Rules fisticuffs; a rather variegated House of Commons chanted ‘Amen’, after its Leader asked God to grant eternal rest to service personnel killed in action; and one’s religion was advertised at one’s hospital bedside for every little bigot (patients, visitors or staff) to notice.

Yes, those were the days, Mr Rothery, and jolly good riddance to them.

DAVE CLAYTON, Church Cowley Road, Oxford