Martin supports the arts (Cheltenham Liberal Democrats)

Cheltenham Liberal Democrats <info@cheltlibdems.org.uk>

Martin supports the arts

October 21, 2006 4:48 PM

Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood has congratulated Cheltenham Arts Festivals on a fantastic finale to their year. 'The Literature Festival had its best programme ever and sold a record 75,000 tickets this year, rounding off a great year for our music, literature, jazz and science festivals.'

Earlier in the year, Martin took fellow MPs to the Cheltenham Jazz Festival's London launch event.

'The best future for the festivals is without too much interference from the council - but that also means no long-term subsidy from local taxpayers' said Martin. 'But they'll need a decent send-off from the council to allow them to go independent with real confidence. It will be money well spent. After all, many of those 75,000 tickets were bought by visitors who shopped, drank, ate and stayed here, and gave a real boost to local business.'

'Future council support for the arts should aim to benefit and involve more people than just festivalgoers' said Martin. 'They could start by relaxing the rules they impose on the Playhouse Theatre'.