I WRITE in praise of Marden House (Calne) Recitals.

For a modest outlay of £7.50 each my friends and I spend pleasant Sunday afternoons enjoying beautiful music played by top-notch musicians, in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Marden House is a lovely, welcoming venue.

Their recent concert, given by Bournemouth Symphonic Brass, was especially enjoyable, incorporating pupils from St Dunstan's Junior School, Calne.

Having been tutored all that morning by the brass ensemble members, the children played Chinese music, on a variety of percussion instruments, to welcome The Year of the Monkey and played it very well.

They obviously enjoyed themselves.

In addition to having fun, I hope this (and the rest of the concert) showed these youngsters that there is a whole world of music out there beyond the somewhat artificial world of pop chart toppers.

Well done Marden House Recitals. (Leaflets available at the Heritage Centre, Devizes.)

P ST JOHN OSLAND

Downlands Road

Devizes