Your views

For more than 10 years I have been coming to the island and one of my joys has been to go to concerts by the Balearic Symphony Orchestra. But no more – as everybody knows they have been on strike for months.

I also happen to be a patron of the London Chamber Orchestra which has a long history of excellence and uses some 30 plus players. We have all the major works – Beethoven, Haydn etc. The LCO is a great team.

I have to say to my friends here in Palma that the impasse with the BSO has gone on for such a long time we should consider a move to an orchestra of a size of the LCO so that the strong tradition of classical music here in the Balearics can continue. Such a move would probably remove costs by about 40%. Otherwise we are in danger of losing the sound of well played, live, classical music here in Palma and across the islands. That would be a disaster.

There is very little classical music that can not be enjoyed when played by 35 piece orchestra like the LCO.

Wake up Balearics please before it is too late! - and we lose the many talented players we have.

Yours etc

Richard Price MBE FRTS

Illetas

No crystal ball

Dear Sir,

Just back after 2 weeks in Cala Dor/Cala Egos and unfortunately I do not have an answer regarding the empty restaurants or the all inclusive hotels only to say that it is called market forces. Being a Welsh man our biggest industry’s here were coal and steel but no longer, as coal is now imported and a much cheaper cost as is steel. So we had to diversify and look for alternatives. Some restaurant owners are trying hard to give the customer what they want, but because of all inclusive the customer no’s are going down at a very fast rate. The people are there which was evident on a Thursday evening when the craft market was on in Cala Egos but on taking a closer look most were wearing armbands for all inclusive.

On a different note what did disturb me was that when we landed at Palma we were stood waiting by the carousel, our luggage and 2 holiday reps were walking around with their clipboards looking for there clients so that they could get them loaded on the buses. The holiday maker/visitors are at there most vulnerable when they arrive for there stay as it is the time they could be carrying the most money and in all the hustle for their luggage their hand luggage is easy pickings for the thief. There was once a very strict rule that all passengers were met outside the baggage area not inside, who else may be getting access to that area.

Anyway business people of Majorca have a restful winter and I am sure some of you will need to call on your reserves to get through but there is a much greater problem and that is 2014, things are not going to get any easier.

Regards,

Austin Morgan

North Wales