Despite Peter Jones' public optimism, the writing is on the wall -- or rather in the figures.

If A.R.L.T., J.A.C.T., C.U.C.D. do nothing,then we might as well pack up and go home.

It is not in our nature to agitate: we are, after all, teachers and our business is with our immediate charges. Surely the value/importance/essentiality of the Classics is self-evident, and everyone, surely, recognises that -- I think not.

We have seen that, when we or even a bunch of Latin students, raise our ugly heads, albeit in a small way, the Minister of Education and his side-kick sit up, just a little. It this is not done in a big way, by the time the current generation of Classics teachers retire, there will be none to follow on.

But then, as the present retired generation are drawing their pension, the current serving generation will get theirs, so why worry?

What we can do in the public arena is indeed limited. But it must be done. Esperanto, from a smaller power base and much shorter history, agitates in Parliament, has a publicity system to respond to articles and letters in the media, holds rallies, links hands across the seas in its cause.

I alone do not hold the keys; I am not clever enough to have all the solutions -- but together, much more can be done. Nor is the problem in one area -- 'Minimus' (God bless the mouse!) is doing his bit with the littl'uns; they will need to be taken into secondary education care; for all this we need academics to teach teachers and to continue research. Peter Jones is doing a sterling job -- but his is the only voice I hear on 'Today'.

If our councils and even the "notable exceptions" will not even recognise and discuss the looming disaster, is there hope?