A reputation to be proud of

3:21pm Thursday 17th April 2008

I WAS pleased to recently hear a representative of the Arts Council highlight Basingstoke as a significant centre of excellence for the arts.

Our borough's growing reputation as the arts capital of Hampshire is the result of years of hard work by many different organisations, such as The Anvil, Fairfields Arts Centre, The Haymarket theatre and Central Studio.

The work of organisations like the Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra, Basingstoke Male Voice Choir, Basingstoke Ladies Choir and the Basingstoke Area Youth Orchestra and Choir mean that literally hundreds of people throughout the borough are involved in music and the arts on a regular basis.

It is exciting to hear that a new Basingstoke Arts Festival is being considered to introduce more people to what is on offer in the borough. This is just the sort of event that helps put a positive spotlight onto modern Basingstoke.

I WAS pleased to read recently that the number of crimes in Basingstoke has fallen, but I have a stream of correspondence from local residents about their concerns regarding anti-social behaviour.

While I do not doubt that the figures from the police are accurate, they do not appear to pick up the continuing menace experienced by too many Basingstoke residents from graffiti, fly-tipping, drunken behaviour, damage to property and problems with excessive noise.

It is clear that we continue to need more visible policing on our streets and in our neighbourhoods to deter these types of problems. Everyone deserves to feel secure in their homes.

PARLIAMENT is on a late Easter break this week, but rest assured, your MP and constituency office is still fully operational and open for business.

If you have a constituency case you feel I can help with, don't hesitate to contact me. Remember you can drop me a line through our online surgery, which you can access through www.mariamiller.co.uk

TO CONTACT Maria, call her at the House of Commons on 0207 219 5749, e-mail millerm@parliament.uk or write to her at The House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, or The Mount, Bounty Road, Basingstoke, RG21 3DD.

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