SIR,—The critics of the recent Bath Festival have had their
say, and it is time that a fair word was spoken in the city's defence. In 1950 Bath was a pioneer in that it decided to include literature, so often neglected, more usually ignored, as one of the arts. Furthermore, it decided to honour the living and invited about fifty West Country authors to a mayoral luncheon in the Pump Room. I believe that this was the, first time that any civic authority in this country has paid such a tribute to the written word. The luncheon was considered a success and, as a direct result, this association was formed. The luncheon invitation was repeated in 1951, and again in 1956, and other towns and cities in the West of England have followed Bath's example. This month we held our ninth congress at Bournemouth.
The 200 members of the West Country Writers' Association have every reason to feel grateful to Bath which acted as our original host and begetter.
Your correspondent Ccladon August must have been unlucky : there certainly were no barbarians in control of the city in 1950, 1951 or 1956.—Yours faithfully,
WAVENEY GIRVAN
C The West Country Writers' Association The Oast House, Dognterslield, Hants
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