Frances and I both have a long connection with the Bridport Arts Centre (BAC) and would have liked the opportunity to support the centre as it went through these recent traumatic times.

BAC was a publicly owned building, bought by the community for communal use. So, the trust’s decision to sell the building without consultation could be seen to reflect a lack of confidence in the community’s ability to rise to the occasion, and this has led to a feeling of frustration and powerlessness in friends of the arts centre.

The important thing now is to look to the future.

Trustee Nick Ziebland said: “The venue will again be a multi-arts venue delivering a broad range of visual and performing arts” and this is to be celebrated.

We hope the board will soon call a exploratory meeting to discuss what the future will look like.

The unique selling point of the arts centre is that it should be the centre of the arts in Bridport, presenting outstanding performances as well as a myriad of workshops, engaging top professional artists to lead projects, offering opportunities for learning and excellence in the arts.

Wonderfully creative engagement with the arts in the town has been generated by the arts centre, we have so much to be proud of - from BridportFM, when Bridport had its own radio station to the processions banner when women made a banner that was featured on a national BBC television programme. The youth theatre, BACstage, has participated in National Theatre Connections. These creative opportunities were developed by the arts theatre staff, through their connections to the arts world and the Arts Council.

Here’s hoping the centre will again play this role in town; welcoming audiences, groups and classes back for creative enrichment and celebration of the arts.

MARGIE BARBOUR AND FRANCES EVERITT