I wholeheartedly agree with Christine Shepherd's views voiced in her letter 'Quality of life discounted' (Postbag, August 10).

Yes of course the quality of life in Malvern is being discounted. One only has to see the unsightly bus shelters, paths overgrown with weeds and witness a once elegant town centre scattered with charity shops to realise the fact, although praise goes to smaller select shops and Waitrose is a welcome addition. We have so much to be proud of in Malvern, an area of outstanding natural beauty and the unique Elgar connection to name just two.

Our theatre is a joy, enjoyed by many visitors.

I suggest that the decision to exclude floral displays in the future be reversed. Local towns Cheltenham, Ledbury and Hereford all have magnificent flower displays welcoming visitors from far and wide.

Do the powers that be want to see Malvern reduced to the likes of any other neglected town in England.

Come on residents and visitors to Malvern make your voices heard. You have an excellent vehicle through the Gazette.

Do something now before our town finally looses its past glory because of penny pinching bureaucrats.

Shirley Farley, Holywell Road, Malvern.