HAVING read the appalling way the closure of the Theatre Church has been dealt with, I have to comment on the loss of this Bolton landmark and its long heritage in the Methodist religion and the arts.

I have been an active member of the amateur theatre for more than 50 years and, along with the many people involved with the Theatre Church, I have been involved with productions on the stage, backstage and front of house.

These were very happy years in a building which could easily switch from a place of worship to a small but extremely well organised theatre.

Does Bolton Council have no idea of how much revenue these amateur theatre groups bring into the town, as well as the kudos of being the only town in England with so much entertainment available for nearly all the year?

There are plays, musicals, choirs and orchestras, all brought together by a large group of volunteers who also organise and bring these performances to fruition.

The amateur theatre groups are having to stand back and watch the demolition of not only a valued and cherished building, but the demolition of their hopes and dreams for the future of amateur theatre, as many societies put their junior members on that stage, learning a craft every year until they are ready to join the senior section of their group.

One must ask just what the council gains from such a drastic course of action?

At the very most, they will only receive the revenue of the council tax due from the new properties, at an incalculable cost to the amateur theatre in Bolton and surrounding areas, not to mention the theatregoers of Bolton who do appreciate their amateur theatre.

Jean Morgan Founder of BATS and former vice-chairman of BCMCS