Letter: One year short

Sir: Rufus Isaacs asks when the end of the last century was celebrated (letter, 7 August). It was 31 December 1900 - correctly. Church bells were no doubt rung across the land; some peals were recorded on peal boards which hang in the towers to this day. There is one in the tower of the parish church at Tenterden in Kent. It does seem peculiar that many will soon be celebrating a 99-year century.

DEREK J CARR

Bristol