Bandstand users are defying Sir Litternot

Our columnist with his unique view of Ashford life

Iam delighted to relate that the tin roof we (that’s you and I) bought for the bandstand has at last proved to serve a useful purpose, though in reality it may not be exactly the purpose envisaged by our sagacious and farseeing councillors. Ashford’s indigents and connoisseurs of cheap cider will be most grateful for the roof we have provided to give them shelter in inclement weather. We’ll surely all agree that it’s wonderful to see that something, at last, is being provided for the least fortunate members of the Ashford citizenry. Sadly, housekeeping seems not to be on their agenda and, not being staunch supporters of Sir Litternot, they tend to leave the place in a less than pristine state. I noticed one Saturday a pair of musicians performing on the bandstand. I took them to be enterprising buskers. They were a vast improvement on some of the musical plodders who do nothing to enliven our High Street during the week, being little more than guitarstrumming beggars. Having said that, one or two of the less frequent buskers actually do a fine job and genuinely earn whatever money they make. The Saturday music is apparently arranged by the Revelation St Mary’s people and funded by the council. Strangely, these two organisations appear to do their best to make the Saturday performances total non-events, as far as I can ascertain, with little pre-publicity, not even a banner or poster fixed to the bandstand explaining what’s going on. This kind of promotion should, surely, be the responsibility of the organisers or the Town Team. Perhaps the effort of putting on the annual Create Festival depletes their energies for the rest of the year? In every other town (in my experience) where there is a bandstand, permanent or temporary seating is provided for those who wish to enjoy the performance. When this is not done, it becomes clear that the organisers have little or no care, either for the performers or the people they say they want to attract to the town centre. This really is not good enough, particularly when the provision of seating should not be beyond the remit or the capability of the T Cat team who, after an initial bubble of publicity, seem to do little beyond making a few boxes and planters.