I WAS shocked to hear from a friend who was searching for information on bands performing at the Pinewalk Bandstand this summer that Bournemouth council would no longer be paying bands who wish to perform there.

I think that Bournemouth council are totally getting their priorities wrong because they are spending millions on a new landscape project close to the pier, which only seems to be a few trees and a Tourist Information office.

The bandstand is part of the summer tourist attraction as well as for Bournemouth residents.

Some of the bands that play there travel from places such as Southampton and Middlesex, so rely on this money to cover their travelling expenses.

I would think relying on a collection box when the bands perform would be very unsatisfactory.

I shall definitely be supporting Bournemouth Brass Band with donations to their website, but not everybody will be aware of what is happening if they have not seen the press release dated April 15, 2015.

We local residents need to put up a fight with the council to carry on the tradition of having bands at Pinewalk Bandstand, otherwise it will just fade away.

Penny Turner

Albert Road, Corfe Mullen