IN response to the letters in the Evening Advertiser concerning the closing down of the Irish dancing at the Old Town Festival, my officer was at no time told to do this by the Festival Committee.

The dancers were due to finish at 3pm and the Wroughton Silver Band was due to start playing. These were pre-allocated times so that each group could be heard and seen. Members of the public started to complain about the loudness of the Irish music and they could hardly hear the band.

The organisers were asked three times how long they would be and if they could turn the sound down a little. Each time the response was that they would only be five minutes.

The sound was reduced but was immediately turned back up even louder until, finally, at 3.25pm when requested to finish their display the organisers told the crowd they had been told by Swindon Borough Council to close.

When questioned by parents, my officer explained that they had run over their time.

Swindon Borough Council encourages all kinds of music and dance, but complaints were made by the public and the band was part of the Sunday afternoon summer season band concerts.

J F SHORT

Director, Swindon Services