I WRITE on behalf of the members of Redditch Choral Society to express our immense concern at the news of the council's proposal to cut the funding to the Arts Council.

Our choir recently celebrated 40 years of presenting choral and classical music locally with many excellent professional soloists and orchestras.

We also encourage local school choirs who join our events, thereby teaching children to enjoy and value good music.

Many groups and societies depend on the Arts Council's support to assist the funding of events which bring great pleasure to many people.

The cutting of this help will be absolutely devastating and may be the end of the valuable cultural events which have been an important part of the heritage of the town.

Surely Redditch Council should be encouraging and helping its community to enjoy the arts and social events provided by these groups, which work timelessly to help promote the town.

I urge the council to seriously consider the actions they propose to make.

Barbara Beaman

Hon Secretary

Redditch Choral Society

The Grove

Studley