MANY of your readers will have heard the Radio 3 lunchtime broadcast of the Skampa Quartet on December 14.

It was recorded at the Malvern Concert Club at Malvern Theatres on September 20, the remainder of the concert having been broadcast on September 27. This BBC broadcast indicated the high regard in which both venue and club are held.

For the club it was a splendid lead-in to its forthcoming 100th and Centenary seasons which we hope, and need, to be widely supported by the community and business over a wide area.

In these circumstances we view with concern the possible take over of the theatres, which has been reported in your columns.

Unlike the drama programme, the presentations of music at the theatres are, perhaps sadly, not co-ordinated but mostly come from a variety of organisations like ours which hire the venue to put on high quality concerts attracting large audiences of local residents and visitors.

Some of these, again like ourselves, have unpaid management, but we are all dependent on the understanding and skills of the theatres staff. These cover matters such as affordable hire, booking dates and facilities, box office and theatre publicity and technical help on the night.

This support is amply given now by the present locally-based team led by Nic Lloyd.

Is it likely to be so evident under a distant commercial management where financial considerations hold total sway?

ERNIE KAY, Hon Assistant Secretary, Malvern Concert Club, Graham Road, Malvern.