Sir, I was interested in Ken Russell’s reflections on his time at the Nautical College, Pangbourne (NCP) (times2, July 1). I moved in the other direction. As the son of a well-known film and TV actor I had intended to follow in his footsteps, until I took part in a film, The Devil’s Pass (1957), which was heavily connected with the sea. I decided that I preferred the seagoing to the filming and ended up at NCP and from there went into the Merchant Navy. Yes, in the 1950s we still got caned — but only when we deserved it — and unlike today’s youth we admitted our malefaction and took our punishment. Yes, we fenced. In fact, we were fencing champions of the Royal Navy for three years (we all had the rank of cadet RNR) and I was probably the last cadet to win a title at the Royal Tournament. Fifty years on and I still teach fencing at a local club. We took pride in our uniform and pride in our parade skills. Our band beat the retreat at many local events and our founder’s day parade was widely admired.

The Nautical College, Pangbourne, no longer exists; it is now Pangbourne College, and no doubt has different priorities, but I should hate your readers to be left with the rather brutal image painted by one disaffected pupil.

Roger Slater
Hertford Heath, Herts

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