4 MARCH 1949, Page 20

Sta,—May I question whether the village colleges of Cambridgeshire have

the effect with which Mr. Bonham-Carter credits them in his article, The Small Village? This village, with a permanent population of slightly over 300, is within two miles of a village college. There has not been a week this winter when its hall has not been in use on at least four nights. And considering that generally two single-decker buses are sufficient for the needs of the eleven villages whose activities are centred on the college, it seems safe to assume that this village is no exception to the fact that, whatever the intenion behind the founding of the colleges, they have not succeeded in suppressing local activities.—I am, your obedient servant,