Sir – I was interested to read Chris Gray’s musings on Oxford pubs, both in his article and in the book review he wrote (August 20).

It’s noteworthy that an earlier guide, Pubs of Oxford and Oxfordshire (published in 2009 by Oxface) carries much the same information about the Chequers being a kind of zoo, when it housed such diverse creatures as a sealion, camel and raccoon.

It also says that the last known exhibit there was a giant from Herefordshire who was regularly invited to college dinners, no doubt as a novelty, and that the pub’s name came from the chequer board signs used by Jewish money lenders, who lived in the area.

The hostelries of character that Chris Gray writes about are sadly prone these days to sudden closure and conversion, making guidebooks prematurely out of date.

The great beauty of Pubs of Oxford and Oxfordshire is that they were selected with a view to historical prestige and a sense of permanence.

Despite the perilous financial situation of the ordinary pub, not a single one mentioned in the book has looked to be in danger of closing.

I enjoyed Chris Gray’s account; perhaps he in turn would enjoy researching some of the pubs mentioned in the book and extending his account of Oxford hostelries to the fine historical taverns in the county beyond. I look forward to more of his bibulous tales in the months to come.

John Dougill
Oxford