Listen to the people

Published on 6th November 2008 in Letters

Sir - Surely the full houses that have been attracted to the recent Goole Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society's latest fantastic offering of Show Boat are enough proof for the powers that be to finally open their eyes and see how important a proper stage is to the people of Goole.

We are indeed blessed to have such a vibrant, active society that involves so many people across the generations and then entertains the rest of us impeccably. To lose this would be a great travesty.

Goole is supposedly now being promoted as upwardly mobile, so how on earth can this retrograde step be taken? I am at a loss to understand the decision makers thought processes in this case. Who are they anyway, the town council? ERYC? People who actually live here?

Large audience capacity is vital to generate the revenue needed for more professional performance and unfortunately The Gate cannot meet this need. I understand that the school may have to move on and not make decisions based on outside activities. However, my question is: Why on earth isn't the new Arts Centre that is supposed to be for the people of Goole taking the needs and demands of the townspeople of Goole into account and providing a suitable auditorium for these type of things to continue?

Whose democracy is this, because it certainly isn't ours?

L. Smith

Red House, Barmby