IN all this talk of culture (Warrington Guardian, April 27) don’t let’s forget the Warrington Academy tradition.

In the 1700s, when Joseph Priestley lectured here, you could probably get a better university education in Warrington than in Oxford or Cambridge (which were going through a dead phase back in those days).

When the Warrington Academy closed, some of the leaders set up the famous Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society.

Then Warrington set up its own in 1870, and it’s still thriving.

You might think ‘literary and philosophical’ sounds a bit stuffed shirt.

But we keep the name to respect our Victorian founders.

For them philosophy meant any field of thought, including what people now call science.

In fact we cover a lively range – including raunchy street ballads, the history of footie, murder mysteries and poisonous creepycrawlies.

Of course we also do great art (Vermeer) and frontier science (graphene).

If you have got a curious mind, and like to hear brilliant speakers on the best ideas of today, look at our website warringtonlitandphil.

org.uk.

You will find lots to intrigue you in our next season, beginning in October.

You can join as a member or come as a visitor for £4.

Culture in Warrington?

We think we can look Manchester in the eye.

GLYN ROBERTS Speaker Secretary Warrington Lit and Phil