Madam, - The letter (January 20th) from James Montgomery, which states that the Arts Council was correct not to fund the Western Writers' Centre, and that many people in Galway agree, is mean-spirited, to say the least. Mr Montgomery appears to speak for the people of Galway. Perhaps they might have something to say about that, particularly those who use our services. He is welcome, of course, to visit the Western Writers' Centre anytime he may choose.
His knowledge of literary things in Galway seems not to extend to knowing that the Western Writers' Centre was the original instigator of the "Over the Edge" readings at Galway Library, under the title then of "On The Edge", and that the Writers' Centre's founder, Fred Johnston, was also the founder of the Cúirt literature festival, as a poetry festival, back in 1986.
We look forward to hearing from writers who may have a view on this. - Yours, etc.,
JUDITH CURRIE, PRO, Western Writers' Centre, Galway.