CHIPPENHAM Arts Festival was a resounding success in this it's second year, and as Mayor I feel privileged have the opportunity to attend many of the events.

However, during the interval of the Celebration of Youth at the Neeld Hall , I enquired of one of the organisers why such a beautifully performed programme was so poorly supported by the local population.

Agreed, some of the families and friends were there to applaud their young people, but,

several parents had merely delivered their children to the venue,and left, some apparently because they could not see why they should pay to see their own youngsters perform.

That apart, where were the good people of Chippenham, who are so keen to criticise our youth?

I think the person who stated in a previous letter to the Editor, that Chippenham folk don't like the younger generation may have had a point.

I would like to thank all those involved in that particular production, and say to them. Don't be discouraged, do it again next year.

Those of us who attended are proud of you all.

CLLR DESNA ALLEN

Mayor of Chippenham