I am sure Carborundum really meant to say that Gillian Shephard chose as a favourite poem “At Grass” not “Cut Grass” (Diary, TES, September 22).
If so, she chose a poem that proves (like “Wedding Wind” or “Whitsun Weddings”) that great joy and life-enhancement could burst even from “the gloomy northern cyclist”.
She also shows that, while she might not know a decent education policy when she sees one, she knows a good poem.
COLIN PICKTHALL MP
House of Commons
London SW1