When I was a youngster in the early 1950's I remember listening to my Grandfather involved in good hearted debate with a neighbour.

My Grandfather had been born within sight of Bredon Hill and supported fox hunting. The neighbour, a generation younger and city born and bred who had married a village girl, was anti-hunting.

In some ways they were men who were so very different yet they had something fundamental in common.

They were always prepared to listen to the other's argument, and to use logic and fact to support their views; often it must be said agreeing to disagree.

Both had fought in world wars, seen friends die and in my Grandfather's case carried the scars of conflict to his grave. Whether this tempered their views, I can never be sure; but they knew without any shadow of doubt the value of free speech. Also, tolerance and an acceptance of the basic principal that we are all different.

There is no doubt that they would have been quite shocked by Michael T. Parker's grossly inaccurate and venomous outburst in last week's Journal.

I am sure my Grandfather's response to him would have been something like "Don't criticise something until you know what you're talking about.

Lewis STEPHENS POTTER, Pershore Road, Evesham.