Letters Page
Your recent analysis of intercollegiate rivalries (7th Feb. edn., p.6), demonstrates a remarkable lack of historical awareness.
There have been conflicts between, for instance, Exeter and Queens: in the 1660s, there was an argument in Parks over the result of a football match. Anthony Wood, Merton's seventeenth-century antiquary, reported, 'The conflict was between Exeter and Queen's, viz., west and north.' There was also a frisson of tension with another college, when Richard Carslake, an Exeter bible-clerk, was murdered by one of the Turner brothers of Wadham a few years after the Exeter-Queens match.
Collegiate rivarly is not new; and one wonders if those devising inter-collegiate operational tactics might remember that, however innovative they feel their plans are, it's all been done before. Many times. Over many centuries. To gain the collective imagination of Oxford, the war-councils perhaps must try harder.
Philip Hobday Exeter College
As Churchwarden at St Ebbe's Anglican Church, I was somewhat astonished when my attention was drawn to Helen Defty's article warning "about the dangers of joining religious cults" in your issue of 31 January.
My wife and I first went to St Ebbe's as students in the 1960s, and all down the years we have seen the traditional Christian message presented in the same low-church, Church of England way. I was not sure whether to be gratified or horrified when I saw Ms Defty brand us as fanatics and extremists! But my credulity was stretched beyond breaking point when I saw her liken our student house-parties, which I attended in the '60s, to Bin Laden's mountain hideouts!
It is tempting just to laugh; but as a lawyer, I would recommend to Ms Defty that, if she is considering a career in journalism, she conduct her research more thoroughly before presenting hermaterial to a wider audience.
Incidentally, I think when Ms Defty referred to the United Reform Church, she may have meant the Unification Church.
Jonathan Anelay Green College
It was very interesting to read your letters page last week.
Muslims and Christians both agree that they actually differ over what events happenned in history - primarily whether Jesus of Nazareth died on a Romancross or not - and that these differences are both important and open to serious discussion. I have several Muslim friends and we much enjoy each other's company. We disagree about the nature and facts of reality and have such respect for each other that we can discuss our differences. The ability to seek and find truth in this way is the mark of a truly tolerant society.
Yours Sincerely
Joshua Hordern New College
I'm proud to be the girlfriend of St Hilda's most "off the wall eccentric" (the one with the dead stuffed fox and a whole lot more). She, like many other members of St Hilda's possesses qualities that unfortunately 'Lizzie Tempest' seems to lack, since she is neither dull nor thoughtless. I'm not about to apologise for being at a college whose priority is women's education in a university where men still dominate and neither should I have to. Yes, the stereotypes are "rubbish" and for that reason I see no need to pander to them.
Rosie Buckland, St Hilda's
We have been enjoying the OxStu, or at least parts of it. Some of it appears to be in a different culture, if not language. Grandpa has just consulted the 21st Century Chambers, and is surprised to find that humongous or humungous is there. So that is something we have learnt, even though I felt sure that I had heard it used from time to time.
Gran xx
The author of the best letter will receive a pair of free tickets to see the film of their choice at the Phoenix.
14th Feb 2002