IT is interesting to look back at letters to the editor in old editions of the Malvern Gazette to see what the public was concerned about in days gone by.

In 1952, the state of Sir Edward Elgar's grave, at St Wulstan's Church, was a topic of debate, just as it has been in the recent weeks in 2002.

But in 1952, it was the composer's own daughter, Carice Elgar-Blake, who was writing in.

She was responding to a letter published two weeks earlier from "Two Edinburgh Visitors" who said they were "surprised and shocked to find the tomb of this famous man so untidy in a churchyard overgrown with weeds and grass".

Mrs Elgar-Blake replied that everything possible was to be done to "ensure cleanliness and order on this hallowed piece of Worcestershire".

"It's unfortunate that the stone does not weather as well as it might to present an immaculate appearance to each and every pilgrim to my father's grave," she said.

"Doubtless the church authorities will deal with the long grass when weather permits."

Elsewhere among the letters R W H Griffiths, of Blackmore Road, gave an explanation of one of Malvern's perennial problems.

He was evidently prompted to write after a local farmer was fined after sheep strayed into private gardens.

He said: "I wonder if the owners of these gardens, which are either not adequately fenced, or the gates of which have been left unfastened, realise the immense difficulties with which those in charge of sheep on open ground contend."

Mr Griffiths said problems were caused by stray dogs and motorists causing flocks to scatter and the problem was exacerbated by a drought earlier in the summer, drying up the hills.

"How well the 23rd Psalm shows the sheep's need for green pasture and water, and it is during drought that sheep will wander in search of their simple needs," he said.