Letter: Ancestral confusion

Simon Ditchfield's analysis of recruitment trends in history was interesting ("It pays to help the public to meet the ancestors", THES , April 20), but he is wrong about the history pedigree of the heritage management degree at Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education.

The course was developed by the school of environment and focuses on the study of physical and cultural landscapes, their development, interpretation, promotion and conservation. Mainstream historical content forms only a minor element.

This difference might not have been critical 18 months ago but with the advent of published programme specifications, such distinctions matter.

Carolyn Roberts
Head, School of Environment Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education