I WOULD like to thank the Adver for flagging up (April 27) the importance of the Richard Jefferies Museum at Coate.

It has been an ongoing struggle to get Swindon Council to maintain Jefferies' home, and attacks by vandals only make the situation worse.

Cited by historians as an authority upon agriculture and rural life in Victorian England, he is known as the author of one of the great novels for boys, as well as other highly original novels, and he is recognised as one of the greatest nature writers in the language. The area around his home at Coate has been known for years as Jefferies Land.' Thanks to the great Rueben George, Swindon Council bought the old house in the 1920s for £2,000. Much of the land was sold off or used for road building and car parking. For the last 20 years the museum has been kept open by volunteers from the Richard Jefferies Society. It is a real little treasure.

We hope to apply for grants to restore the grounds and outbuildings, extend the museum facilities and make the gardens an attractive place for the public to enjoy.

The museum is open on the first and third Sunday from May to September between 2pm and 5pm, on other special occasions such as Heritage Day on September 10 and by appointment. So do drop by for a visit or contact me on 01793 783040 if you would like a special tour organised for a group. Entry is free.

J SAUNDERS.

Hon Sec, Richard Jefferies Society Longcot