CONTRARY to what John Hinton's letter said (You Say, August 28) there is no connection between Worcester Consolidated Municipal Charities and the Six Masters' Charity. Both charities have been independent since 1836.

Worcester Municipal Charities did own a four-acre plot on Pitchcroft and sold it to the Corporation in 1897 for £436. The city purchased 16 similar plots on Pitchcroft between 1880 and 1902, only two of which were owned by the Six Masters.

An 1834 document reads as follows: "The Queen Elizabeth Almshouses and Free School (both managed by the Six Masters) appear always, since the gift of Thomas Wild, to have had the benefit of the proceeds of some land both in Great and Little Pitchcroft, being separated from Great Pitchcroft by a ditch.

"The Great Meadow, or Great Pitchcroft, is held by the different proprietors, subject to be thrown open every year after the grass has been cut down, from old Midsummer day to old Candlemas day succeeding that is, from the time of the grass being mowed to the time of its being laid up for mowing, during which time it receives the cattle of the Freemen of Worcester, and the Bishop's tenants of Claine's Manor, and is also used as a race-ground."

In other words, Thomas Wild left the Six Masters two small plots on Great and Little Pitchcroft as commercial lettings, the income from which, of eight guineas and £60, was to go towards maintaining the Queen Elizabeth Almshouses and the Free School.

There has been horse racing on Pitchcroft since the Middle Ages. There is now only one living Freeman, George Randall.

So unless George buys some sheep, Stephen Inman, leader of the Council, can sleep easy.

PAUL GRIFFITH,

Chairman of Worcester Municipal Charities,

Worcester.