Clapped-out hall not right for theatre

Reading two of the letters in regard to the theatre (February 7), an old saying came to mind - ‘Floggin’ a Dead Horse’. To Dee Collins, no one questions the right to spend one’s own money on whatever they wish but at the same time must not expect others to pay for one’s pleasures.

We have very good theatres within 20/30 miles with easy transport routes. My previous letters on the subject of the old building being renovated seemed to be overlooked by this letter writer.

I am not against a theatre in Ashford but not this building. The promise of a new theatre in Ashford should be celebrated. Peter Morris Kelso suggests that I take a look at Forth Street consultants’ document. It does not say that you take a clapped out old building and renew at any price. It does state that it was possible for Ashford to have a new theatre. No one argues with this. Second point, that I should raise a petition against a theatre, no need for this, if he felt that there was a demand for a theatre then his petition would have 30,000 plus signatures but this was not so. The rest of this letter was rehashing old pie in the sky of how much this would bring to Ashford in terms of visitors and income. I am not against a theatre in Ashford but it has to be manageable, both in terms of cost and man management. This old building is not and we should move on and look to the future when we do have a new theatre. As to the High Street, Ashford, has many other pressing problems but this not one of them.

P.J. Rosson,

James Street, Ashford