Sir – As one of the trustees of the Bampton Exhibition Foundation, responsible to the people of Bampton for the maintenance of the Old Grammar School, I write to correct the item appearing in the paper recently.

Mr Robin Shuckbrugh outlined the aims of “The Downton Mile” but the item went on to say that the second floor of the building had been left to rot, and that no work had been done on the roof for over 100 years.

The ground floor of the Old Grammar School has been let to Oxfordshire County Council for many years, and they have allowed the Bampton Archive to use part of this space. There was no use for the upper floor, and the stairs were removed, some 30 years ago.

The trustees take their responsibilities seriously, and £43,600 has been spent over the last ten years, on the windows and floor of the upper room, and on the roof and structure of the building. The Stonesfield slates were last removed and replaced in 1911, and we have been advised that there is 15 to 20 years life remaining, before major works are necessary.

The Bampton Exhibition Foundation supports the efforts of the Bampton Archive towards the renovation of the upper floor, and, in addition to maintaining the building, provides bursaries promoting education for young people in the ancient parish of Bampton, which includes Aston and Lew.

David Pullman
Bampton