Having just returned from holiday, I would like to respond to Bridget MacDonald (Postbag, July 21).

May I say that I was a participant of the recent Malvern Visual Arts Festival. I was staggered at the energy, enthusiasm and encouragement demonstrated by both Ross Rowberry and Avril Spickernell.

The Sculpture Park was sheer genius, rivalled only by the Zimbabwe Stone Sculpture Exhibition in Cape Town's Kirstenbosch National Botanic Gardens (1998) now currently on display at Royal Kew Gardens (not to be missed).

Who else could have secured a temporary Gallery to house over 300 paintings here in Malvern? Venues for specialist talks? The Council House Conservatory? The Priory?

Who else could have brought so much talent together in one town? Nineteen venues organised with flare and panache. Professionalism, that's what did it. Two ladies with vision. Encouragement and support, that's what's needed for The Malvern Visual Arts Festival 2001.

I would be interested to hear from others sharing my views, please e mail me on beth.barnes@virgin.net

Beth Barnes (B.A. Hons.), Hillview Close, Malvern. (via e-mail).