I WAS surprised to read in your September issue 30 that "Gloucestershire Academy Arts is different to (sic) any other school out there as we offer our students not only dance, singing and acting training but also an opportunity to perfom."

Mr Reed-King's assertion must be the result of little, if any, research. The 30 or so young members of Bare Bones Youth, based in Goodrich, has for the past six years mounted public performances every February and August. The August production is an open-air Shakespeare usually attended by 200 people in the grounds of Bishopswood House.

The group also compete each year in the Herefordshire County Festival at The Courtyard Theatre and were outright winners in 2008. (The first time in its 72 year history that the festival has been won by a youth company).

The establishment of a youth theatre school is always a cause for rejoicing but please Mr Reed- King, let's not deny the existence of others with similar aims and ideals.

– Dave Baldwin, (chairman, Bare Bones Theatre Company).