... Theatres Trust there to protect, not preserve I can reassure your readers (News, July 27, page 4 and Letters, page 9) that there has been no change in policy at the Theatres Trust, and that there is no danger of us being taken over by unfriendly architects or property developers wno want to knock things down. But the Trust is not a preservation body it was set up by Parliament to pro tect ...

... Farnham rep deserves a theatre I recently saw one of the New Farnham Repertory Company's three produc tions, Lark Rise, which was produced and excellently per formed by a company filled with true ensemble spirit. The one downside, however, is that it has to perform in a hired mar quee, despite the fully equipped Redgrave Theatre standing empty just yards away. If its season is a success, ...

... Don't make arts funding a Lottery It is all very well to applaud Chris Smith's efforts to assist the arts with additional funding (News feature, August 3, page 5), but it is increasingly disturbing that long-term basic revenue funding has been replaced by the occasional saving of a theatre company out of Government slush funds as a political ploy. Now we have Chris Smith saying: the Arts ...

... Foot in the door I first began collecting theatri cal photographs and other mementoes at the age of ten. Now, 45 years on, I share my enthusiasm through a non commercial Web site. Footlight Notes, featuring celebrities of drama and popu lar entertainment from the 1 850s to the twentites. Find the site at: www.footlightnotes.com John Culme e-mail: john.culme libertysurf.co.uk ...

... Did you know Ronald Lewis? I am in the process of researching the life and career of actor Ronald Lewis and would be grateful for assis tance from anyone who may have worked with him or knew him. John Thacker 25 Beacon Way Rickmanswoth Herts WD3 7FF Heydays letters can also be found on The Stage's Web site at: www.thestage.co.uk ...

... Searching for Stan's gem Following the recent death of Stan Little. I wondered whether anyone could tell me if his wife Beryl is still alive and, if she is, where I could contact her. We were good friends but lost touch during the Second World War years when I married Reg Hinton and went into variety with him. Before she married Stan, I knew her as Beryl Simmonds and she knew me as Bobbie. ...

... Thanks for your fair and generous coverage With the elections for Equity president and council behind us, The Stage must be congratulated and thanked for its discerning, fair and generous coverage. I personally tried to interest other national news papers in these events on an impartial basis but with no success whatsoever. Even high-minded broadsheets like The Guardian which bang on about the ...

... Please help me find the voice behind Joe 90 I am trying to locate Len Jones, who starred in the 1969 film Spring and Port Wine. He was also the voice of Joe 90. I am a good friend of a gentleman who knew him well when they both featured in Spring and Port Wine. Please could anyone give me any information on how to contact him. Any help should be greatly appreciated. Bryn Willetts email: ...

... On the lookout for naval pal I am trying to find an old Royal Naval friend who went into the theatre when he left the service in 1954/5. He did a number of plays at the Manoel Island Theatre in Malta and he was considered quite a good actor. The last time we met was during July 1957. 1 was on the aero engine course at Bristol Sidderley engines at Filton and he was touring with Blithe Spirit at ...

... Help mac turn 40 Midlands Arts Centre is about to experience two landmark events. In 2003 it will be 40 years since mac was estab lished due to the vision and determination of John English and his wife Alicia (Mollie) Randle. Originally known as The Midlands Arts Centre for Young People, the centre now has over 600,000 visitors per year. This November it is with much sadness but even more ...

... We'll help out if Dillie is keen I was away when you published Dillie Keane's appreciation of the efforts of the amateurs of Portsmouth and Hampshire to 'save' the Kings (The Dillie Keane Column, November 9, page 9). They performed the same service for the Mayflower in Southampton and I am con strained to support what Alan Jenkins has said about what the story has been (Letters, November 23 ...

... Association needs to tackle its own agents I was absolutely incensed with anger after reading the article entitled 'Agents rage at DTI inaction' (News, November 30, pace 3). This piece included vari ous quotes from Bob James, the current president of the Agents' Association, on the subject of extra agencies. However, while I, and I'm sure many other profes sional entertainers and paid up ...