SIR – There was a tragic inevitability regarding your coverage of the application to create a ‘Cultural Quarter’ on the site of the former Royal Worcester Porcelain works – the spark of optimism for what is there and the hollow words of description of what will now come to pass.
It is a rich irony that the bid to create this ‘Cultural Quarter’ should have attracted so much articulate and reasoned opposition from local and national heritage and cultural bodies; a clear message that this was an ill conceived and mistaken project. Tragically we appear to have blindly repeated the mistakes of the former Vinegar Works complex and destroyed the very fabric of what actually is our ‘cultural quarter’.
Worcester has never lacked for opportunity – Lychgate, St Martins and for the past decade Severn Street – nor even for capital investment, but what has been missing has been a sense of vision for how our past has served the community, can serve the community and enrich all our lives.
The past is not a foreign country – it is what makes us who and what we are and it is possible, if one has the mind to and the vision, to use that cultural legacy to create an enriching and successful future. 
If our civic leaders are bereft of such vision then I suggest they visit Middleport Pottery in Burslem where a vast and largely redundant pottery factory has been turned into a working pottery, a cultural experience and a focus for small enterprises – all in a truly deprived area.
Or, for true inspiration they might look at the Zollverein World Heritage Site in the Ruhr – a massive mining complex saved and turned into a real ‘Cultural Quarter’ – a continuing focus to understand the past while reaching excitedly into the future.
Worcester simply deserves better – why bother with having a ‘Heritage Champion’ if we spurn each and every opportunity to endorse such ideas?
DR MALCOLM NIXON
Worcester

Tory Eurosceptics rise says it all about deal 
SIR – I read with interest that West Worcs Tory MP Harriet Baldwin has come out in support of Mr. Cameron’s controversial EU reform package. She believes that many jobs will hinge upon staying in (I imagine hers is safe) and that Mr. C. has been working tirelessly to secure a better EU deal.
On her reckoning he has made major progress on all four areas, with a red card system for national Parliaments, a move away from ever closer union, fairness for Euro ins and outs, and a deal on welfare so that people come here to work or study, not for benefits.
But I wonder how she might account for the ever growing numbers of Conservative Eurosceptics who claim rightly that they must put their consciences ahead of loyalty to Mr. C. and have come out in favour of Brexit. 
I name but a few: Liam Fox, former Defence Secretary, Work and Pensions’ Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, Chris Grayling, Leader of the House, Northern Ireland Secretary, Theresa Villiers, Priti Patel, John Whillingdale.
Former Chancellor, now Lord Lawson, could now become the public face of the out camp with John Mills as deputy. In what seems a most unfortunate move, the PM has gone on the offensive to try to convince sceptical Tory MPs and voters that his draft EU renegotiations are worthwhile and to vote with their hearts, while at the same time telling them to ignore what their constituency associations might be saying on behalf of local supporters.
I urge them to vote with their brains. Senior Tory MP Steve Baker, part of Conservatives for Britain group, gave his brain-originated opinion that “It’s pretty spectacular to lower the bar and still miss; it’s a shambles of a renegotiation”.
As a zealous-anti who will vote with my limited female brainpower in June, I doubt bullying or scare tactics will work this time.
WENDY HANDS
Upton-upon-Severn

Rugby’s citing system needs to be updated 
SIR – We have read of the frustration expressed by Dean Ryan Of Warriors Rugby  refereeing, and most of us sympathise.
I would like to make a national plea for the sport!
I was at London Irish the week before last and fully support the plea Irish made made regarding our player, who bit an Irish finger. Plea made after the game resulted in our player’s suspension for eight or nine weeks, at a very critical stage of the season. 
Why should Warriors’ complaint of last week not be reviewed by the citing team over the Bath offence? Award the penalty try, plus yellow card and give the victory to Worcester.
ROGER JONES
Former president, WRFC
Peopleton


Why are letters from outside area printed?
SIR – Back in November 2014 I wrote to you complaining about letters from people outside the Worcestershire area being published in the Worcester News. Although I received little sympathy I will raise the subject again.
One of the culprits then was GB Dipper of Leominster and here he is again (February 22) with a letter as before on non-Worcestershire subjects.  
Leominster is 27 miles from Worcester but only 13 to Hereford, so why is he not having his correspondence printed in the Hereford Times? I am sure the locals there will be interested in what he has to say even though it is about the migrant crisis and not their patch!
MAURICE FRANCIS
Claines


Editor’s note: We always give preference to Worcestershire letters. However, GB Dipper is a long-standing correspondent to this paper whose views many readers find interesting.