COULD there possibly have been a mistake in the Malvern Gazette of October 20, when you reported that the Malvern Hills District Council had cut its grant to the Malvern Theatres by £50,000? The council justified this cut on the grounds that the Malvern Theatre Trust Ltd had failed to take the initiative in applying for this year's grant.

We cannot believe that both the Malvern Theatres Trust Ltd and the chief executive of the Malvern Theatres have not been in constant negotiation with the Malvern Hills District Council on what is the lifeblood of any theatre - its grant.

A sudden cut of this size will surely have a most serious effect on the continued successful operation of both theatres. The rejuvenation of the Malvern Theatres is one of the best things to have happened in Malvern for years.

In the theatrical world, it is considered that Malvern now has one of the best and most popular provincial theatres in the country. It would be a tragedy for the town if standards had to fall because of financial problems.

As Council Tax payers, we ask what has happened to the Malvern Millions of only a few years ago if grants now have to be reduced or cut off completely.

MARI BLACKWELL, Chairman, Malvern Theatre Association, Peachfield Close, Malvern.