Hello MikeMorley, Thanks for your contribution to the Punt Pole section of "Punts".  I agree with you that traditional spruce poles are generally nicer to use, but is it really true that they are lighter?  I have no scientific data available on the subject, do you?  I note that R.T. Rivington's book says that both wooden and aluminium poles for pleasure punts weigh about the same (9-10.5 lbs).  However Rivington also says that if a hollow aluminium pole fills with water (if the seal around the shoe is not perfect) it becomes uselessly heavy. 

 So... I tend to agree with you about wooden poles being nicer, but I think we need slightly less POV here.  As I have been reminded several times WP is supposed to be neutral and "encyclopedic".  In particular we might mention that most punt stations (in Oxford at least) now only use aluminium poles.  I don't know why but I guess that its because (a) F. Collar's of South Hinksey (the only source of wooden poles in 1985) have closed down (b) wooden poles need more maintenance or (c) wooden poled can snap when old (I broke one once) or (d) aluminium poles are  cheaper. 

 Do you have time to do some research, and to write a neutral, balanced paragraph about poles?