National Trust
Sir: I should like to point out that even if Mr Humphries's criticisms (Apri1.28) of the Worcester-Malvern Centre are justified, the National Trust cannot be held responsible. National Trust Centres are really supporters' clubs for those who are eager to further the Trusts' work by arranging lectures and visits, by raising money, enrolling new members and in a variety of other ways. These centres, of which several now exist throughout the country, are making a significant contribution to the work of the Trust, while remaining independent of it.
Mr Humphries's view that the programme provided by this centre does not accord with the intentions of the founders of the National Trust is not apparently shared by the great majority of our members, nor by the officers of the Severn Region who, at our invitation, send an observer to our committee meetings.
M. G. Harvey 3 The College, Malvern, Worcestershire Sir: Michael De-le-Noy's cheap jibes and disparaging remarks about the National Art Collections Fund (April 28) are unworthy. Constructive criticism is always acceptable but such! trying-to-be-clever comments reflect adversely only on the critic.
The object of the Fund to assist public art collections in the UK and the Commonwealth to acquire works of art and objects of historical importance is most commendable. Some of us who were invited to the function were pleased to hear Sir Antony Hornby explain the Fund. There was no suggestion of " castigation " and Mr De-le-Noy's interpretation confirms his own statement that he had been drinking " many glasses of hock."
Harold White Bouncing Acre, East Common, Harpenden, Herts
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