THE answer to Mr Mills' letter (EA February 8) enquiring as to why The Merchant of Venice has not been shown in Swindon, is clearly answered elsewhere in the same issue.

If, according to Graham Carter, Richard Jefferies (1848-1887) is "a bore" and "a relic of a by-gone age", then William Shakespeare (1564-1616) stands no chance whatever with this brave new self-appointed arbiter of taste in Swindon.

JOHN PRICE

Granham Hill

Marlborough