Just which century is Mayor Glyn Bridges locked into? One glance at the words of our national anthem provides ample evidence to see why it is regarded with such indifference.

The whole anthem simply ignores the attributes of a great country and its people, instead its lyrics render a nauseating sycophantic prayer to save the Head of State save from what I'm not quite sure.

What is indisputable is that the Head of State is a job to which NONE of us can aspire so why should we feel anything for these words.

If we need an anthem at all then its words and music should represent the nation and NOT simply be an exaltation for one person.

K Watts

Blind Lane

Southwick

I AGREE with Glyn Bridges, the mayor of Trowbridge, that our national anthem should be taught in schools. The difficulty is that it is a Christian hymn and many schools in Britain have large numbers of children who follow religions other than Christianity, such as Islam. Religion is regarded by the state as a private matter, to be relegated to a Faith Zone and religious instruction is controlled locally to avoid religious disputes. It is sometimes presented in the form of comparative religions, or replaced by a secular, social exercise. Governments do, however, approve of religious ceremonial to attract tourists and thereby increase the tax base.

Leaders of the Christian churches in Britain are now negotiating with the Government for a national curriculum for religious education to include full coverage of Christianity together with improved training for teachers.

In the meantime, church schools are entitled to teach the national anthem and should be encouraged to do so. We need more church schools.

C COPLAND-GRIFFITHS

Wingfield

Trowbridge