The name of the Visual Arts Facility is, er, Visual Arts Facility. It is NOT Firstsite, even if the promoters of the Vaf say it is now called Firstsite.

I have taken the trouble to check the correct name with the council, which owns the building, and I have had it confirmed in writing the building is still called the Visual Arts Facility.

I have even issued a news release confirming the correct name.

This may seem to be a small thing, but it is important that we do not allow those behind the Vaf to change the building’s name in what is clearly an attempt to airbrush away the association of the official name (and the initials Vaf) to the failed folly.

The community stadium became the Weston Homes Community Stadium with the approval of the council, which owns the building.

Such is the arrogance of those behind the Vaf, they have not even had the courtesy to ask the council – they have just gone ahead.

Therefore, it should still be called the Visual Arts Facility, or the Vaf, until such time as the council agrees to any other name.

In light of the above, while I was grateful you published my letter in last Wednesday’s Gazette, I was less than pleased that in two places you inserted the name Firstsite when (a) I had not used this name, and (b) it was completely at odds with my earlier news release pointing out what I have described above.

Until such times as the name of the building is changed, I trust the Gazette will use the official name and not Firstsite.

Bob Russell
MP for Colchester
Wimpole Road
Colchester

...Reading the squabble between Bob Russell and Tim Young about the Vaf has been very tedious.

Who cares who opposed it most and who cares who did the most violent U-turn on the issue. U-turns can be good – changing your mind after hearing new evidence or seeing change can be a sign of maturity over pig headedness.

You would have thought that much divided them.

But, in fact, Bob who has preached for years his hatred of the Tories, is now in cahoots with them.

Tim Young used to say he hated the Lib Dems more than the Tories, but is now in cahoots with them.

While both of them hurtle round in circles trying to land a blow, they seem not to have noticed the Vaf is actually going to happen.

Firstsite/Vaf is almost built. It will open, whether Young, Russell or anyone else likes it or not. We are presented with an accomplished fact.

Maybe not many people wanted it, but it is here. It is now up to everyone, for the good of the town, to make this project work. Not to do so would be just to chuck money away.

We should now all pull together and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. It can be done and we could have a tremendous asset for the town.

I include in my exhortation the management of Firstsite, which needs to be a lot more open in its decision- making and inclusive of all tastes, not just the minority, less self-indulgent and more outward looking, more for the audience and less for the artist.

In ten years time, I hope to read in your paper letters from Young and Russell fighting over who supported this internationallyfamous and successful arts facility the most.

Don Quinn
King Stephen Road
Colchester