THE LETTERS OF RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS

From R. Vaughan Williams,
The White Gates,
Westcott Road,
Dorking.

[13 December 1939]

My Dear Miss Lutyens

I shall be happy to do what I can on your council¹ – but not as Chairman please.
For one thing I do not live in London and therefore cannot be sure of frequent attendance.
Secondly, I do not know really enough of the details of the working of the society.
Thirdly, I belong to the C^tee of several other societies and if they came into conflict my choice of loyalties w^d be more difficult than merely as a member of your Council.
Honestly I think I shall be much more useful to you as an ordinary member.
Yours sincerely

R. Vaughan Williams

1.  The Association of British Musicians. Lutyens had invited VW to take the Chair. VW had sent a telegram on 13 December 1939 declining the position and promising this letter of explanation.