SIR – What happened to the Upton Jazz Festival this weekend? Admittedly we didn’t go until Sunday but we had it on good authority from one of the vendors that it was extremely quiet from the day of opening, and they hadn’t sold their usual quota of food.

We were just driving into Upton and we heard no music, no tents in the field, nothing. We drove to the nearest car park which was a field and were charged £5 upon which we were given to understand it would be refunded if we bought a £25 ticket. I don’t think so when there were four of us in the car and it was Sunday afternoon! We paid £5 reluctantly. £1 would have been enough. Come on!

We then ventured into Upton. No music – nothing unless you paid to go into the marquees which we never do. We soak up the atmosphere which is plenty enough and listen to the bands in the gardens where the publican is able to make money from the hordes of people gathered around, mostly standing against the walls just listening to the music.

The only thing we did like before was the Jazz Cruise which was superb. But we took the last cruise at 3pm. What a time to finish! It was £5 a ticket so think of what money the organisers could have had.

It was a big disappointment to us and we wish them well next year. Hope they get back the atmosphere and people they once had.

JACKIE HOLLIS

Worcester

Manure on pavements

SIR – Being of the same vintage as John Phillpott I rarely disagree with what he has to say in his weekly column, but today I have felt the need to put pen to paper. He refers to The Parish Council Matters section of the December/January issue of the Kempsey Parish Magazine.

In this piece our Chairman points out that residents in the village had complained about horse manure being deposited on roads and pavements. Trying to be diplomatic, and not offend anyone, he didn’t mention that the real problem was the manure being deposited on the narrow pavements in a central residential area.

It’s a shame that Mr P didn’t mention the pavements as they were what was really important in the chairman’s report.

We are a rural community (but unfortunately not as much as we used to be) and expect to see horse manure on our country lanes, but not on our pavements.

Ann Patrick

Kempsey

Surprise at councillor

SIR – Battenhall Conservative City Councillors have given long service on the Planning Committee: Robert Rowden as chairman and myself as a committee member.

So I was surprised to read (Worcester News, 2nd June 2016) that the newly elected Green Councillor for Battenhall (Louis Stephen) had declined to take the place, which he accepted at Annual Council, allocated to the Green Party on the Planning Committee.

Now I hear that he will take up the place after all.

I note also that this councillor has not attended the planning training sessions.

Special arrangements will have to be made for him so that he can be involved in planning decisions.

Clearly this dithering “red-green” councillor was trying to dodge the responsibilities that come with being elected.

The electorate will be watching carefully.

Dr David Tibbutt

Battenhall City Councillor, 2004-14

A great time had at festival

SIR – Some people say Worcester does nothing for the elderly, but Age UK, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Sports Partnership and U3A certainly proved them wrong with their Active Age Festival at the University of Worcester Riverside Centre last month.

The occasion was also in celebration of The Queen’s 90th birthday and a tea party was enjoyed by those who were there. Some were also able to cross to the river bank and watch the flotilla which passed the riverside during the afternoon.

At the university centre there were activities, demonstrations and exhibitions in the main hall and plenty of music, dancing and open activities.

Upstairs other interests of all kinds were in progress and I personally enjoyed a game of chess.

My partner and I enjoyed carpet bowls, archery and table tennis in the sports hall but there were many more things we would have liked to have tried had there been more time.

I would like to thank all the helpers, from Age UK; university staff; refreshment stall helpers and everyone who assisted in any way to make such an enjoyable day.

Phil Pegler

Worcester

Should we cut pensions?

SIR – Curious to read how many retired people think it would be worth it to have a pension freeze or cut to try to get the impossible - a return to how things used to be.

Fertile ground for resentment towards the older generation if the promised post-EU economic miracle fails to happen quickly.

Derek Fearnside

Worcester