I often used to boast that I would willingly pay my TV licence fee just for the privilege of enjoying Radio 3 and the BBC Proms. If the proposed changes to the Radio 3 schedule referred to in Charlotte Higgins’ interview with Sam Jackson, the station’s controller, are implemented then I don’t think I can keep my word (‘A James Bond night? Absolutely!’ Radio 3 boss Sam Jackson reveals his big shakeup, 26 February). Surely the reason for The Third Programme originally was for the enjoyment of music and not for three hours of discussion on the topic hosted by Tom Service. Mr Service has many qualities, but I would prefer to hear the notes as written by various composers. Surely Radio 4 is the appropriate radio station for wordy discussion?
Alan E Foster
Canterbury, Kent
• To continue the metaphor referred to in Charlotte Higgins’ article, if Radio 3 is a favourite cafe where I have been going for years every morning and loving the menu, why then is the new owner replacing the Saturday full English, so beautifully cooked and presented by Andrew McGregor, for a three-hour brunch confection served by an overenthusiastic waiter? While I wish Sam Jackson all the best with his new menu, I wonder if I will be alone in finding somewhere new to eat at the weekend?
Gareth Jones
Defynnog, Brecknockshire
• While suffering trepidation, if not extreme fear, about the proposed changes to Radio 3, I do hope that the annoying repetitive advertisements for themselves, which we suffer all day, will disappear. Have they not realised that if we can hear them then we are already listening to Radio 3?
Marlene Godfrey
Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire
• I agree with Charlotte Higgins’ concern that some of the Radio 3 changes may bring a sense of middle-of-the-roadness and a lack of unpredictable spikiness. In education, teaching to the middle often leaves the very bright and those who struggle with nowhere to go. Sam Jackson may just be about to do this with his audience.
Stephen Wilkinson
Oxford
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