I CAN endorse Tim Stahl's commendation of the York Early Music Festivals (HAS, July 4) from personal experience. Marvellous.

Similarly, the BBC3 Early Music Show on Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes, 1pm to 2pm, a regular slot.

However, I believe Tony Kelly (HAS, June 29) is grieving for the loss of our religious musical heritage in relation to its proper context. In many ways, I agree with him.

The Second Vatican Council had good intentions, but the resultant cultural vandalism is to be deplored.

The baby was thrown out with the bath water.

With the greater emphasis on congregational participation, and the word, music of any depth and complexity was side-lined.

Unfortunately, simple, timeless hymns and plainsong were too. The thinking was not unlike that of Protestant England, post- Reformation.

I realise we cannot remain fossilised. Some new music is simple, yet well written. Much is not.

I believe we have deprived young people of much of their cultural and religious heritage.

Primary children learn specially written, often crass, childish music.

This forms the bedrock of their musical experience: how unforgivable.

What is wrong with "both/and", rather than "either/or"?

Mrs Anne Gibbon, Darlington.