OSCAR Wilde once wrote that a cynic is someone who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

I can’t help but be reminded of this quotation when I look at the sad demise of the theatre church in Astley Bridge.

All parties should be ashamed of this situation: the Methodist Church for pursuing money above all else in the original sale, Bolton Council for standing idly by as it sees more of the cultural heritage of the town vanish for good and, of course, the current owners whose motives in purchasing the building can only be described as opportunistic.

I cannot believe any “structural defects” in the building have only just come to light.

Did they not have a survey done when they bought it?

Allow me to be cynical for a minute: the prohibitive rents asked for theatre to continue at the site were never going to give them the revenue they wanted. Housing just might. It makes you wonder.

As far as I know, no one with an interest in local theatre knew anything at all about the consultation period on the demolition (now conveniently closed) making this a ‘fait accompli’ as well as an absolute sham.

I feel deeply sorry for Paul Cohen and all those in the town who are seeing this precious resource disappear before their eyes.

It was a place that brought happiness to the community and would have brought more — if cynicism hadn’t intervened.

Ultimately, some things are worth more than money and the loss of this facility was a tragedy in 2012 and is a greater tragedy now.

Mark Weatherall Walshaw Bury