I HAVE just read Chris Titley's article in which he uses quotations from George Baker's recently-published book making serious allegations about the late Mr Wentworth Ping.

I joined St Olave's School in 1943 as a boarder at the age of ten and have nothing but happy memories of Mr Ping. Yes he did administer corporal punishment and he did have canes named Hengist and Horsa, but I am sure most of his pupils will still remember him with great affection.

The reference to "institutionalised child abuse" is a travesty and offensive to the family of the late Mr Ping and to many of his former pupils who have nothing but respect for the memory of a greatly loved man who had a lasting, positive and good influence on many young people.

David T N Tyne,

Wenlock Drive,

Escrick, York.

Updated: 10:18 Monday, September 16, 2002