JUNE 2 was the 149th anniversary of the birth of Sir Edward Elgar. Instead of adequately celebrating this event, central Malvern was subjected to hours of mindless caterwauling (among other unnecessary nonsense) supplied by the Festival Fringe, and promoted by Malvern Hills District Council and other organisations who should have known better. This racket also persisted long beyond the times indicated in the brochure.

That I am not alone in my condemnation of this undesirable activity, I know from conversations with residents in Priory Road and elsewhere in central Malvern. Although I have long ceased to be surprised by the humbug and chicanery of the present lunatic age, with its notions of political correctness, democracy (sic) and other forms of hypocrisy, is it perhaps too much to hope this sort of thing may be avoided next year when it will be the 150th anniversary of the birth of Elgar?

IAN BERESFORD GLEAVES, Broads Bank, Great Malvern.