YOUR article of November 19 is critical of councillors such as myself who have contributed from our Local Improvement Funds (LIF) as patrons towards the Bournemouth Air Festival.

In making that donation we encourage businesspeople in the conurbation to also become patrons and give considerably more than Bournemouth councillors.

Apart from the many hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to the town and benefit our economy we should not forget that the festival is also enjoyed by our own residents.

A healthy tourism industry provides revenue for the town whether in catering, accommodation, retail, transport – yes, even car parks, which in the long term benefit the rates we all pay.

Other LIF monies are used towards benches and trees in the streets and donations to local organisations, schools and charities.

CLLR BOB CHAPMAN,
Central Ward,
Town Hall,
Bournemouth