ROS Kane (Half-truths from council over opening days at our gallery', March 27) gives the impression that the William Morris Gallery has been in the custom of celebrating the birthday of William Morris every year and that all visitors must book in advance. Neither is correct.

William Morris' birthday has not normally been celebrated at the gallery, but as planned it was celebrated on Sunday, March 30, when children were invited there to make birthday cards.

This is one in a new series of family activities designed to encourage people into the gallery to enjoy and learn from the experience.

The gallery was closed on Easter Monday, which coincided with the birthday, following its long held practice to be closed on bank holidays and on Mondays.

In common with many other museums of its size and type, the gallery is currently closed to visitors on Monday.

It is open to the general public for four hours on Thursday and Friday afternoons and for seven hours on Saturdays and Sundays. Tuesday and Wednesday are reserved for bookings by schools and other groups of visitors.

Thanks to the growth in our budget for the new financial year, the gallery and Vestry House Museum will be open soon to the public for more hours during the week and we are looking at a new schedule for bank holidays.

As for the birthday celebration, this year marks the first of many more to be held by the gallery.

Cllr Geraldine Reardon, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Arts and Culture