In inclusive harmony since 1999
Sports editor
Business editor HOP Shed claimed (KM, May 10) that: “We will be the first inclusive theatre in this part of Kent”. In fact, a few hundred metres from New Line Learning where Hop Shed is to be based is the fully integrated stage group Harmony that specialises in after-school lessons. Harmony was formed in 1999 and has had thousands go through its doors. Over the past four years, eight young people have gone from our mini-theatre to secure university places. Oak Academy uses our premises each year to stage its nativity productions. Harmony teaches drama, dance, the arts, props and scenery-building garden; my husband then retrieved a big plastic bottle which the girls had just thrown over our fence. I walked up to these girls and asked them if they had thrown this bottle in our garden; they answered “so what”, laughing and not looking contrite nor apologetic in any way. I then asked them to go and throw this bottle in a bin, but one of the girls violently threw the bottle in the street, and then told me to “… off! and go back to the country, where I came from!”. I am now quite worried that everything I have always appreciated in Britain is threatened, because of a lack of education, and a misunderstanding of the world in our youth. This is exacerbated by the distorted views about foreign cultures displayed by some newspapers and what our youth can watch in the media and hear from adults. If these girls can recognise themselves in my story, I would say that it is never too late to apologise for something you have done wrong – even years later. By doing so we are able to learn about humility, but also it enables us to retain a sense of righteousness and shares its talents. At least 12 shows are put on for other charity groups to enhance their fundraising efforts. Sixty or so members use our as human beings. I also very much hope that they will one day understand the importance of being open-minded towards foreign people, and that, British, French or other, we are all part of the human ‘race’. Annick West, Malling Road, Snodland premises for three evenings a week at a cost of £2.50. John Kingdon, founding member of Harmony. Let all the council’s unused advertising boards carry the message. There can be weekly volunteer litter picks, but stop frightening away young people, older people the committed shopper and service users who come to Maidstone. It is a sad society that governs and controls its quality of life by fining people first and then taking them to court. This is the big society gone bad. There are better ways of making Maidstone great to visit, great to shop. Mike FitzGerald, by email