I WRITE on behalf of the Cotswold Rambling Club, based in Cheltenham. As its social secretary, I organise several visits to Malvern Theatres each year; we fill a coach each time. Many members also visit the theatre privately, just as my wife and I do - and frequently.

Over the years we have seen many, many splendid productions. Indeed, visits to the theatre are part of our lives. We are all so grateful to have this marvellous amenity only 20 miles away.

If a thing ain't broke, don't fix it. This motto should be applied to the theatre. It is extremely well run. Without a continuation of the necessary local subsidies it would be broke in the financial sense, of course. But it is most definitely not broke in the artistic sense. For one thing, we greatly admire the enterprise of those responsible for the theatre's operation - particularly the superb refurbishment of a few years ago. For another, what alternative management could possibly attract superior productions?

In short, we are as convinced as the Malvern Theatres Association is that to hand over to a commercial management would be a retrograde step. We fear that it would lead to a dumbing down. We are very much afraid that a commercial management would give the priority to box office. The accent would be bums on seats. We like our independent theatre at Malvern. (Do we sound possessive? We feel possessive!) May it stay that way.

AMANDA & FRANK STYGALL, Copt Elm Close, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham.