3 JULY 1947, Page 20

CLOGS AND SHAWLS

SIR,—Some time ago you published an article of mine called Speech Day. It concerned a North Country school but gave no names whatever. The Corporation of Rochdale, however, have taken it unto themselves and have instructed the Chairman of their Publicity Committee to send me the following delightful letter, which I think for more reasons than one deserves a wider notice.

" Dear Sir, Your reference to the Headmaster's report in the Spectator is excellent reading and much appreciated, but I am sorry you gave thE impression that Rochdale is a town. of 'clogs and shawls.' This is quite an erroneous description and is regarded as a reflection on the town. These articles of wear have been discarded long ago and the prevailing fashion, even with mill employees, is that of hats and shoes, which are now general. The popular conception of Souther- ners regarding Lancashire needs correction and I hope you will pardon my calling your attention to this."—Yours, etc.,