Sir – I was interested to read the article (October 29) about the 30th birthday celebration of Old Speckled Hen, Abingdon’s most famous beer.

You mention the connection with MG, and as a long-term enthusiast of both the cars and the beer, I still own not only a 1971 MGB roadster, but also an unopened bottle of Old Speckled Hen dated 1979.

I recall that this was brewed specially to celebrate 50 years of MG production in Abingdon, and I have enjoyed many bottles of the famous brew since it became a firm favourite. Sadly, the demise of MG (at least as far as Abingdon is concerned) was announced very shortly afterwards.

Phillip Croxson, Shipton-under-Wychwood