All their work won't add up to much in the end

Presumably, the Prime Minister will be pleased that the percentage of A-level passes continue to escalate. There is nothing to suggest that exams are being made easier.

However, it is doubtful whether all this educational success will produce material gain either for the individuals themselves or for the country. The British industrial revolution was forged by hard, rather than educated men. Similarly the American West was conquered by hardy people rather than by knowledgeable persons.

Furthermore, instead of physics, mathematics, engineering and foreign languages, students tend to choose easier subjects for their degrees such as media studies and sociology. These latter subjects have no direct economic value. They do nothing to make our fourth position in the planet's Economic League less precarious.

Meanwhile, for males, the true path to individual riches appears to be an ability to kick or, maybe, throw a lump of leather around or to be effective in some such similar activity.

However, let us acknowledge that education, whatever the subject, should be regarded as an end in itself, not a means to an end. Like the old-time Chinese we should revere academia.

D E MARGRETT, Worcester.

n STEVE Widdowson asks when The Butts Line engine shed and pump house was pulled down.

It was demolished together with incline up to Foregate Street in July, 1967.

The rubble was used to build up a section of Pitchcroft out of floods way where the centre course building now stands.

In 1966, with the Public Hall closed, Worcester Carnival applied to clear the scrapyard which was next to the engine shed to form a fund-raising area.

The carnival gave permission and then passed a £36,000 plan to form Croft Road car park and alter Grandstand Road.

M SIMPKINS,

Fernhill Heath.