SIR - It was a sheer delight to read about those 16 people who took the oath of allegiance to the Queen marking their British citizenship ceremony (Oxford Mail, April 16).

The occasion, presided over by our splendid Lord Lieutenant, Hugo Brunner, was clearly a wonderfully informal formal occasion - if you know what I mean - with everyone expressing his or her own feelings in the manner in which they appeared.

I hope these ceremonies do not take on a more starchy performance, matching the aura of a royal investiture.

And Heaven forbid that we should adopt the American, heart-clutching stuff that turns the stomach rather than stirs the soul.

We British are more reserved but no less sincere about our nationality.

We should not expect those who wiish to join us to put on some stage performance just to prove they want to be one of us.

ANGELA TURNBULL

Oxford