I WOULD like to thank the Conservators for providing the Country Landowners' Association with a most informative and interesting walk and talk on the politics, history, geology and economics of the Malvern Hills. We were all provided with an excellent and educating afternoon.

The question raised by the landowner who gave the vote of thanks at the end of the event and who came from Craven Arms, in Shropshire, was an interesting one.

He expressed surprise that the ratepayers of Malvern were so willing to pay a contribution of, for example, £23.77 annually for a band D property, to the Conservators in their Council Tax for the care of the hills. He explained that his area in Shropshire was a place of national interest too, which attracted people to enjoy the countryside but that the local Council Tax-payers would not wear paying for the upkeep through their Council Tax for so many visitors to enjoy their area and it was paid for nationally. He thought the Malvern Hills tax payers were extremely long suffering as the Malvern Hills were also of national interest with more people flocking to it than those to Shropshire and was well justified to be funded nationally too.

It was most interesting to learn about the conservation of the Iron Age fort area and to hear about sheep grazing on the hills and the application to Government for the enclosing and gating of the north of the hills for cattle grazing.

In all a very informative and enjoyable day ending with a delicious tea at the Malvern Hills Hotel.

H GREEN, Maxstoke, near Coleshill, Warwickshire.