I WASN'T aware that there were degrees on offer for those completing apprenticeships at the present time but it’s great to know there are and that Adrian had obtained one at the Headington Technical College (ViewPoints, December 10).

For all that, don’t you feel that the emphasis is in the wrong place? How often have you heard anyone say “I’m hoping to go for an apprenticeship” – it’s usually “I’m hoping to go to university”. Which makes one feel that doing a technical job is looked upon as second class. I notice that Adrian’s home is Eynsham, a place where ancestors of mine, the Devalls, once lived.

George Devall went to London to be apprenticed into the trade of plumber and, after completing the standard seven-year training, went on to become Sergeant plumber to King George II and, eventually, very rich.

When some other ancestors of mine, the Townsends (who also took apprenticeships and became very rich), were working on the Radcliffe Camera, George was the plumber. What plumbing amounted to in those days it’s difficult to imagine but I doubt if it was braising copper pipe. Where the Devalls came from I’ve no idea but their name doesn’t sound local. Their home was at Redborn House, later Blagrave’s Farm, on the corner of Newland Street. I sometimes wonder if this house still exists.

DERRICK HOLT, Fortnam Close, Headington, Oxford