The fiasco regarding the resignation of Richard Smith prompts me to support the feelings as described by Eugenie Cameron (Your Letters, May 14).

My wife and I have a small flock of Hebridean sheep. The help and advice we have been fortunate enough to gain from the experience of Mr Smith has always been enthusiastically given, and without question. We started the flock from scratch and over the past four years have had several occasions to call on Mr Smith for his advice on various matters. Indeed, we decided to increase the size of the flock and purchased three sheep from the Conservators.

It is with complete amazement that we have learnt of the situation Mr Smith has been put in by the Malvern Hills Conservators.

We consider Mr Smith to be held in very high esteem by others that we know who have had reason to make use of his services here in Welland, insofar as his professionalism and dedication to the care, welfare and safety of his charges are concerned. His honesty and integrity are without reproach.

Notwithstanding the arguments in respect of the grazing policy of the Malvern Hills, the logistics of managing a flock over this type of land will always have its inherent risks.

It would seem to me to be the perfect time to at least be seen to try and handle the situation, identify the areas where improvements to security could be made and implement tighter controls. Where does this now leave the confidence we should have in the Conservators?

William and Gillian Archer-Palmer, The Barn, Welland Court, Upton upon Severn.