Kenwood
Sir: As the editor of the local newspaper, Mr Isaaman (Letters, 16 April) is surpri- singly badly informed about English Herit- age and Kenwood.
Far from curtailing activities there we have extended them: more concerts, more recitals, as well as an undiminished exhibi- tion programme. It simply isn't true that we have been 'more interested in hiring out its magnificent rooms for private dinner parties'. As for withholding funds, Mr Isaaman doesn't mention that in the last two years English Heritage, with some much-valued assistance from the NACF and the NHMF, has spent £656,407 on works of art and furniture for the historic house museums in London. This demons- trates the absurdity of the suggestion that we treat Kenwood 'as if it were an out- house at Stonehenge'.
Having demonstrated our support for these museums, I am also happy to confirm that we also look at the likely costs and benefits of proposals relating to them before deciding to go ahead, just as we do elsewhere; curiously, it sometimes seems to be suggested that under the GLC cost was no object, and that this was a desirable state of affairs.
Montagu of Beaulieu
Chairman, English Heritage, Fortress House, 23 Savile Row, London W1
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