Sir - Oxford has slid into Christmas as usual, with less controversy than has been reported from some other towns.

The majority of people are only nominally Christian, or not so at all, yet they seem to have no argument with the name normally used in this country.

Pronounced in a way not very reminiscent of Christ (so almost like Weihnachten in German) , the turkey festival often seems as loosely connected to him as does the chocolate festival, Easter.

Most humanists, even, are happy enough to use the name Christmas and have a good time, though other traditional names like Yule and Yuletide are available if preferred. Indeed, few people would dispute that what we have is essentially a very old North European winter festival which goes back long before Jesus was born in Palestine, something to look forward to when our cold nights are getting longer; and least of all would Muslims, Jews and Hindus want to deprive us of it, particularly as their own festivals are tolerated and even encouraged.

If we are offending anybody, let them come forward and state who they are and what their objections are ! Let them write to The Oxford Times next year.

Roger Moreton, Oxford