2 DECEMBER 1960, Page 16

THE WEST END DECORATIONS

SM.- -When Mr. Cyril Ray sets out to jibe he should take the elementary precaution of getting at least some of his facts right. Or does the Spectator consider that facts are not important?

In his criticism of the Oxford Street Christmas decorations he says:

(I) `If the retail traders of the West End can afford these fancy mobiles they 'might have sprung a few more pounds on overtime, and had them put up at night.' In fact, work has been done at night, but this is limited because it is '0° dangerous to work in the dark. Every-effort I as been made, with the willing help of the police. to avoid interference with traffic.

(2) 'The decorations will be up, I suppose, ul Twelfth Night or thereabouts.' Dismantling the decorations will begin on January I.

(3) `Presumably Oxford Street is as early as this in order to get ahead of Regent Street.' The Oxford Street and Regent Street Associations had a joint `switch-on' on November 24' both schemes were designed by one man, and there has been consultation and co-operation from the beginning.

Mr. Ray could have discovered any of these fa without trouble by asking the Oxford Street Assoc tion, or the Regent Street Association.---Yo faithfully,

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The Oxford Street Association Ltd, 140 Park Lane, W I

N. F. DAM11.1 oft