I have just attended an excellent three day conference, with delegates from far and wide, in Hay on Wye, celebrating the 21st anniversary of the Wye and Usk Foundation. This organisation is concerned with, among other things, marketing and conserving fishing in Herefordshire, and beyond. Coincidentally, I watched the BBC Breakfast programme, in my accommodation here, and this included an article on Herefordshire's bid to be the UK City of Culture.

The article covered many aspects of cultural life, in the county and, importantly, mentioned the much needed 'boost' that success would bring. The focus, here, was on the participation of the whole county and its populations, including students and young and old alike. The appeal was broad and included aspects of the county's choral, art, craft and agricultural traditions, in particular cider making. Those involved should be congratulated!

This broad appeal made me think that the county's rivers are also a rich part of our heritage, which needs support, and could be included in our bid. The marvelous work that the Foundation has done to improve salmon stocks by their programme of habitat restoration is paying dividends, which is receiving wide recognition. In addition, I am sure that anglers could claim that fly tying and fishing could to be seen as a valuable tradition and 'artform'.

Richard Bradbury

Much Cowarne