I REFER to the letter on November 12 by Martin J Trenchard Lt Cdr RN (Rtd) about children disturbing the peace on the canal at Devizes Wharf.

This happens three times per week for half an hour at a time?

Gosh! Do the children not appreciate that we are entitled to 168 hours of weekly peace and not the mere 166.5 that we enjoy during their absence?

They make such a noise! This natural exuberance is so unnecessary: children should be seen and not heard.

Children knocking into each other? Calamity!

Do they never learn anything in PE lessons?

Surely by the age of eight or nine they should be experts at steering canoes.

Teachers enjoying themselves and providing an outdoor and adventurous activity for the children in their care? Outrageous!

They should teach nothing but the three Rs to their pupils, who should sit in rows all day every day, preferably chained to their desks.

Of course they’re not learning anything on the water: the teachers must pay attention to Lt Cdr Trenchard’s superior knowledge of education.

And the final straw: this is all provided at taxpayers’ expense? Disgraceful!

We, parents, ‘higher educational authorities’ and all ‘frustrated council tax payers’ should unite and write to our MPs, requesting that our taxes are redirected to fund ear plugs and blindfolds for those well known fellow taxpayers: Nimby and Killjoy.

BRIAN GARDNER (another tax payer) King Edward Close Calne