ALONG with many others, I made my way to March Market Place for the switching on of the Christmas lights. The event began with the choir from the Neale-Wade Community College singing. What choir? What singing? You could not see or hear them. They were no

ALONG with many others, I made my way to March Market Place for the switching on of the Christmas lights.

The event began with the choir from the Neale-Wade Community College singing. What choir? What singing? You could not see or hear them.

They were not up on the stage, and one man held an ineffectual microphone in front of one child.

Following a compere, who was very good at shouting, and the arrival of Santa, a band took to the stage, and they could be heard LOUD and clear.

At that point, about three-quarters of the people left, to either take their small children home to bed, or for rides at the fair.

When we passed the market going home, there were only a few people listening to the band.

If the children are not allowed on the stage because of the wires and equipment for the band, then would it not be a better idea to do away with the band, and let's have the children on the stage, where they can be seen and heard, and their efforts truly appreciated.

DOROTHY HISKETT

Cotswold Close

March