15/07/12…Concert ‘ruined’ by Leisure Centre rules

CRITICISM has been levelled at the company which runs Thame Leisure Centre, after an elderly audience member had to be treated by paramedics during a concert there.

The following Letter to the Editor, from a Committee Member of the the concert organisers, Lord Williams’s Festival Chorus, was received today:

Dear Editor,

I am writing to complain about the recently applied policy which forbids the staff of NEXUS Leisure Centre in Thame from opening the back doors of their large Sports Hall.

Yesterday Thame played host to what should have been a hugely entertaining, proud and enjoyable event. Lord Williams’s Festival Chorus, a local choir with over one hundred members had been very excited to be one of the first amateur choirs to be permitted to sing the latest Karl Jenkins’ piece, The Peacemakers. Led in our performance by John Gibbons, the chair of the British Music Society, weeks of practice had gone into our preparation. Supporting us in the performance were Russian soprano, Anna Gorbachyova and Ealing Symphony Orchestra.

Our day of rehearsal and evening was almost completely ruined by the sweltering temperatures and stifling heat (on a mild July day) because of some ridiculous rule about the rear doors being left closed at all times. Refunds had to be given at the interval, five members of the audience left early and a paramedic had to be called to assist an elderly member of the audience at the end of the evening.

After years of being able to open these doors with no detrimental effect from taking such sensible action, we are absolutely stunned that it is considered wise ‘Health and Safety’ action to insist on fresh air being restricted into the building. The staff in the centre are adamant that the ruling has come from South Oxfordshire District Council. I would urge you to look into this – we were at a musical event on a mild evening; what on earth would have happened at a sporting event on a hot night?

This event should have made our choir and town truly proud of its achievements and ability to attract such renowned talent. Instead I was embarrassed at our complete inability to be reasonable and decent hosts.

I am not alone in feeling this way and look forward to understanding the view taken by Thame News and its readers, some of whom may also have had recent experience of this latest example of common sense gone mad.

Yours sincerely

Julia Greenhough

Committee Member
Lord Williams’s Festival Chorus