WELL, hasn't Redditch Council caused a stir! Should they have or shouldn't they have staged the AIR concert?

This question will be debated for some time, no doubt, and you can bet money on the fact it will all be stirred up when we come to vote again.

Well I for one went along to Sunday's event and would like to say I had a fantastic time.

I hasten to add we bought our tickets on the day they were released so supported the event from Day One.

Obviously, this has been refunded, I believe at a cost of £15 per household.

I'm not sure if this was per event or not but either way, it's a fraction of the £1,200 a year I pay in council tax, besides the £1,500 business tax I pay too. So I for one don't feel short changed.

The council provides our community with various services and facilities we all choose or choose not to take part in.

I don't swim, use the town's sports facilities or library but do I complain that I'm still having to pay for these services? No.

I appreciate these and other facilities provided are used by lots of other residents, some young, some pensioners and all ages in between. All are people who contribute or have contributed to our community in many different ways and all are entitled to use the facilities provided by the council.

I couldn't afford to take my family to see three chart-topping acts at the NEC and I'm sure the up-and-coming bands featured learned a lot from the event too - an investment in their future and I would like to thank the council.

I don't know that on the day, the event could have been organised any better. Security and organisation on Sunday was to a very high standard.

Granted, advertising before the event could have been better.

As for the witch hunters calling for resignations, I have to say I disagree whole-heartedly.

Supporting these events will continue to put Redditch on the map and encourage visitors and business to the area.

Rebecca Blake and the council should be applauded for bringing fresh ideas to the area. In fact, it's like a breath of fresh AIR.

HAYLEY WEST

Matchborough East