7 FEBRUARY 1998, Page 26

Et in Arcadia . . .

Shortly after he became chief executive of the Royal Parks Agency, he gave a talk to the Friends of Bushey and Home Parks in Teddington.

Mindful of the devastation of Home Park (not the responsibility of the Royal Parks Agency) by the Hampton Court Palace International Flower Show, I asked what would happen if the promoters of a pop festival offered a large sum of money to stage an event in Bushey Park. 'We would tell them to get lost!' was his spirited reply. Now, in the trade journals of music and the stage, we see advertisements from the Royal Parks Agency — inviting the promot- ers of such events to make applications.

lain Burgess

4, Cedars Road, Hampton Wick, Middlesex