I WAS in local government entertainment for over 36 years mainly on the front-of-house side. Throughout that time none of the venues I worked in

I WAS in local government entertainment for over 36 years mainly on the front-of-house side. Throughout that time none of the venues I worked in ever made a profit but they were part of the local council's provision of services for the community.I was general manager at the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon when it was taken over by an independent company and since 1993 it has been run by four different providers. It is very difficult to make a theatre the size of the Playhouse pay. Even some of the bigger theatres around the country are having a tough time. I have seen four excellent shows in the last few months that deserved full houses so come on, Weston, as the old saying goes, if you don't use it you will lose it. Your local theatre needs you to put bums on seats!On another point I have recently had to travel by train in connection with my work. I travelled from Worle to Bradford-on-Avon on a Monday. I left Worle at 7.50am in a two-car diesel and passengers were packed in like sardines. I did the same journey on a Sunday and the train was six carriages long, the difference being the train was half empty.The return journey from Bradford-on-Avon on the Sunday the train was again packed and 15 minutes late! The journey on the Sunday was the worst one I have ever encountered with the four car diesel packed and I mean packed. There was even a bicycle blocking the corridor. Is there no maximum limit for standing as per buses?I arrived at Bristol Temple Meads and found the train for Weston, only to be told that the two carriages in the station were not to be used. Then a train came up behind these two carriages and we were told these carriages were going to be used after all.What has happened to the promise by the new top man at First Great Western that there are going to be more carriages on trains in our region in the near future? Bring back British Rail and scrap all the franchises.DAVID KINGSBURY - Mendip Avenue, Worle