SIR: Regarding your article about the excellent work Chris Wormald is doing with the Smithills School Senior Brass Band, I find it very sad to see that they are stuck for a mere £20,000, to compete in an international contest in Holland when other, less important, functions are amply supplied for - councillors attendance fees, and expenses.

If Councils cut their waste (like that woman who runs Laura Ashley) then there would be ample for Mr Wormald and his splendid work.

These children in the band willingly giving up their holiday time and weekends to perfect their admirable musical abilities. They are not standing idle on the street corners planning the next break in, which car to torch, or which little old lady to smash to the ground. Let's get our priorities right.

Mrs M Harwood

Crompton Way, Bolton

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.