Stag's future might be a taxing business

THERE has been much correspondence in your pages about the town council taking over the Stag.

It is polarised between those who believe the theatre should be supported at any cost, many of whom will not be contributing to that cost, and those concerned about the drain on the public purse.

The town council now projects a cost of about £75,000 in the first year (down from possibly twice that figure in its initial plan) and breakeven thereafter.

It is unfortunate it considers the financial assumptions are confidential, resulting in town taxpayers being unable to evaluate the financial risks being taken.

I was pleased to hear Cllr Andrew Eyre state that, should the costs become too great, the lease will be handed back to the district council. However, he would not indicate what this figure might be. This is something the taxpayers deserve to know.

I would support a modest contribution towards the cost of the Stag and would request all supporters, especially those who are not town taxpayers, also make a financial contribution.

Could there not be a fundraising campaign, the proceeds from which would be a significant indication of "real" support?

I find it hard to believe the Stag, which has had many millions of council money poured into it, can break even under the town council's management, when others have failed with significantly greater subsidy.

What is planned in five years' time, when the district council's £100,000 annual grant ends?

The town council now has multiple rooms for hire in three locations.

At the first town council meeting to discuss the running of the Stag, Cllr Clayton stated the community centre had been "turned round" by the town council.

I notice from the budget that it requires £30,000 annual subsidy.

The town council precept was increased by nearly 17 per cent last year. During the current credit crunch, when many households are experiencing financial pressures, I consider it unwise for the council to take on significant financial commitments, without being prepared to inform the taxpayers of the potential cost.

Henry Pound

Knole Way

Sevenoaks

RELIEVED though I am that "the Stag survives" I wonder how healthy it is.

For example, has it been inspected and cared for while closed for so long?

I am not confident the council can manage it properly.

The council's recent behaviour does not encourage confidence. A contract was even agreed with someone who seemed to discourage the use of the theatre and apparently was given overall control even before the written contract was signed. This time I hope things will be done properly.

An experienced manager should be appointed to prepare a comprehensive plan that should be approved by the town's chief executive.

The views of the leaders of local production companies should be sought in preparing the plan.

The role of the manager should be to ensure a suitable venue is available for productions in both of the theatres and the cinemas, with booking facilities and front of house staff.

The plan should include costings for the provision and management of the facilities.

The manager would sell the theatre facilities to promoters at a viable economic price.

All the productions should be the responsibility of the promoters, who should take the financial risks, and any profit. They would pay the agreed cost of hiring the facilities.

The promoters would price the tickets and control the advertising. They should be responsible for the scenery, lighting, sound, and so on.

The theatres should not incur a loss, provided a minimum of events takes place (the cinemas being reliant on the popularity of available films).

Costs should be kept to a minimum by, for example, regaining the excellent volunteers who used to help before the Playhouse days.

There are many clever and keen volunteers in Sevenoaks, It might even be possible to engage a volunteer manager, or someone willing to be employed on an inexpensive part-time basis.

I hope that these thoughts might be useful to the successful future of the Stag.

Geoff Howson

The Paddocks

Sevenoaks

THE GOOD people of Sevenoaks do not necessarily need to go to London to hear outstanding music.

The Sevenoaks Symphony Orchestra proved that last Saturday in the concluding concert of their 2008 programme – a year full of challenges which they overcame so brilliantly.

To be moved as I, and I am sure the rest of the audience were, by a programme of substantially British composers, plus the not often heard Delius Violin Concerto, is something very special.

The 2009 programme of concerts, including the very special Family concert, designed to encourage young children to listen to classical music, will – we hope – all take place in the Stag Theatre.

But importantly it is essential that the theatre is full on every occasion. So all the splendid people who backed the re-opening of the theatre need to sign up as soon as tickets become available.

Victor Clements

Molyneux Park Gardens

Tunbridge Wells

A late Raley-ing call

WITHOUT knowing all the facts, I am aware that over the last year or so, a replacement for Raley's Sports Centre, in close proximity to the rugby club, has received an interest from a number of parties including the tennis club and the cricket training centre. The tennis club has withdrawn and I am not sure of the latest position of the cricket club.

However, it seems to me no one has the foresight to co-ordinate all these interests, including the rugby club, to extract the best usage of the area concerned.

There must be so much scope for shared facilities, a better, more enhanced clubhouse with profitable, civilised bar area with perhaps part-time, employed bar manager.

Working together could perhaps improve the parking facilities which are becoming gridlocked especially at certain times such as Sunday mornings.

Maybe a dream but perhaps one for the council to co-ordinate.

Bill Kendrick

Grassy Lane

Sevenoaks

Town clerk Linda Larter said: "Following a lengthy consultation period and an independent review of the services provided at Raleys Gym, the town council has taken the decision to dispose of the site for development.

"The funds released from the disposal of the site will be reinvested into community facilities, which could have shared usage as suggested by your reader's letter.

"The town council is in the process of appointing the architect for the site who will have as part of his remit to liaise with all known groups including local residents involved in the Raleys site prior to producing plans."

No skill required

I FULLY sympathise with Peggy and Pat Bryan (Unsporting sport, Letters, November 13).

On my journeys around the Kent lanes, I often come across these people shooting tame pheasants. The birds do not stand a chance and a great many of them are not killed outright but die from trauma.

I would like to point out that it is not only men, but also women, who take pleasure in killing these lovely birds.

No skill is required, as a cartridge that contains many pellets is used. Just point the gun roughly in the direction of the bird and the wide spray of the pellets will either maim or kill it. Skill would be required if a single bullet was used. The birds are often fed by their killers in the weeks leading up to the kill, thereby gaining their confidence.

It is a pity the killers do not have something better to do.

Brian Bulmer

Sevenoaks Road

Pratts Bottom

Bulb heat not wasted

CHRISTINE MacKinnon's article of November 13 (Gradually going green – and seeing the light) struck a chord.

As she says, normal light bulbs have their good points. The heat they produce is not necessarily wasted in the home. A very efficient way to heat your bed is with a normal 40watt light bulb in a Belling bedwarmer, a lens-shaped metal container, 15 inches in diameter.

Surely I am not the only one still using this cheap and simple object for night time comfort? Unlike a hot water bottle, which gradually gets cold, the bedwarmer can be controlled and makes the best use of the energy supplied.

I air and warm guests' beds as well as my own. These bulbs must be saved – the low-energy bulbs would be useless for this purpose.

Fenella Wrigley

Toys Hill

Westerham