19 JANUARY 2002, Page 59

Q. With reference to the misguided guests who left the

shoot early (4 January), readers may be familiar with the famous shooting poem 'A Father's Advice' whose final couplet reports. 'All the pheasants ever bred/Won't repay for one man dead.' Might I suggest that the advice be updated to keep abreast of present breaches of protocol by weaving in the following couplet: 'Leave a shoot before its end/That's the best way to offend.' A. Thank you for your creative input.