FURTHER to my letter on the above subject (HAS, some editions, July 8), over the past six years the founder of The Forum music centre in Darlington, David Cox, and his team have provided a fantastic facility for people to enjoy live music or create their own.

They also provide the expertise if students want to learn how to record, perform or just practise their music. Most of this advice is offered freely by experienced staff who, sadly, look like losing their jobs if The Forum’s closure (Echo, July 3) goes ahead.

Ok, the UK is suffering still from the global recession, and we are about to undergo even more government cutbacks.

There are many social problems to resolve, but we must not lose sight of our culture, and should somehow find means to help visionary people like David Cox in providing a much-needed music facility. We should be nurturing our local talent, not turning our backs on it.

Think of all the well-known northern musicians, such as Sting, Paul Rodgers and Chris Rea, who had to relocate to London to get noticed. Living in northern England there was no chance of them securing a recording contract because they didn’t have even a demo album. Well, The Forum can help with this and much more.

Mike Prendergast, Gasto Promotions and Darlington R’n’B Club.

I HAVE reached the age of 44 without ever before being moved enough about a local issue to write a plea. However, I am distraught that The Forum music centre in Darlington could be closing in September (Echo, July 3).

The Forum is the only venue of its kind in the region and is hugely important to the community.

I was discussing the possibility of benefit gigs with a member of The Forum staff recently and he said the only problem was that it was fully booked until the end of August (and beyond if it remains open). How ironic that a venue so popular is at risk of closure.

A lot of the publicity has been about young people, NewBlood Live and young talent, but this is only half the story. The acoustic corner night is always well attended and a lot of the people who rehearse and play at The Forum are older and cover almost every musical taste.

Where else can ordinary people play on a professional stage with a qualified sound engineer on hand?

Where else can bands rehearse and record at a reasonable price and in a safe and friendly environment?

Where else do people of all ages come together and respect each other’s passions?

Helen Disley, Darlington.

AS a parent and music lover I feel closure of The Forum would be a grave error. It is clearly an important social venue to be enjoyed by all generations. I have fond memories of past events and hope we can all look forward to more happy times there in the future.

If this town is to hold its ground on today’s development ladder we need to progress, not regress. We need The Forum.

Rachel Hart, Darlington