I FELT quite subdued when I read that ‘legendary’ landlord, Gerry Stonhill, of the Masons Arms, South Leigh, is retiring (Oxford Mail, May 24).

Although I have not visited the establishment for quite some years, I have followed its fortunes in the Oxford Mail.

As a long-time smoker myself, I felt a certain warmth towards Mr Stonhill when I read in your pages of his attempts to stand up to Tony Blair’s health police.

Come to think of it, any establishment that would welcome us sinful smokers, while sparing us the presence of mobile phone users, small children and the likes of Michael Winner, or a still-living parallel, would be most welcome.

NICHOLAS WILSON

Summerhill Road

Summertown

Oxford