It was very encouraging to see the report headed 'Gateway Plan' (Malvern Gazette, June 30) in which the plans to improve Rose Bank Gardens and make them into a gateway to the hills has the active support of the owners -- Malvern Hills District Council.

For years these attractive gardens, gifted to the town as an attraction for visitors by that great and generous benefactor, Charles Dyson Perrins, have suffered neglect, and the fine views across the town and the Vale of Severn have been lost due to trees and undergrowth being allowed to grow unchecked.

However, let us not look back with regret at what has happened but look forward to what is to come.

One hopes the reported £1,000 set aside by MHDC to investigate ways of making the gardens into a visitor attraction will also look at the question of on-going maintenance, so Rose Bank never again suffers the neglect that has wasted past efforts.

An early start to thinning and removing some of the trees and clearing undergrowth will be most welcome to members of Malvern Civic Society, whom I am sure will support the restoration of Rose Bank and will view with interest proposals for the introduction of high quality sculptures within the garden setting.

John Handley, Chairman, Malvern Civic Society.