Sadly lacking

WHAT a wonderful idea of Chris Harris' - lead article November 7 - to turn our library in Portishead into a centre for the arts.Portishead, the second largest town in North Somerset, is sadly lacking such a facility. On a recent visit to a town less than half the size of Portishead I discovered not one, but two centres where art exhibitions were held, local theatre and music groups performed, where there were cinema showings and individual contributions of poetry and prose. And it wasn't just amateur talent either, many of the artists were recognised all over the country.We could have jazz evenings, country and western, pop music, poetry and play readings, one-man shows, demonstrations of art and craft skills and much, much more.One need look no further than East Harptree - 10 miles away - a rural village with a tiny population, but one which manages to produce almost all of the above plus an annual week-long arts festival and a 100-strong orchestra which performs yearly, with great aplomb, to a crowd of 1,200.As Chris Harris is a writer, a storyteller and a notable actor of 30 years' experience who has travelled the world with his one-man shows and who is also the foremost living pantomime dame in this country, I feel that his recommendation counts for more than most. I, for one, would back him wholeheartedly. Now let's see his wonderful idea being taken up by some local and district councillors - maybe by Councillor Reyna Knight or David Jolley who are exemplary in their support of local issues - and some money provided to get it going.Judith Carr - Slade Road, Portishead