Although I am a resident of Colchester, I thought it might be interesting to play the part of a tourist visiting Colchester. So on Sunday, I arrived in the High Street.

The sun was shining and everybody seemed to be in a happy mood.

This looked good as I enjoyed the different and interesting architecture.

Then I reeled back in horror as I looked down. The pavements were filthy and covered in what looked like dried up grease.

So on I went, with the intention of walking to the Firstsite. Leaving High Street, I walked along the access alley to the building. I was immediately aware of a number of beer cans, bottles and other miscellaneous litter on the ground and in the flower beds surrounding the entrance. I couldn’t see any litter-bins. However, when I went into the building, the helpful welcoming person advised me the outside of the building was “nothing to do with them and the responsibility of the council”.

I was now in the Golden Banana, as it has become known locally, and was immediately impressed by the amount of empty space.

However, I did see some items, such as the giant fingers in the foyer, which will be part of a life-size copy of the Statue of Liberty.

On and into the vast space I went. I saw loads of bits of paper with pictures on them.

In the controlled air environment was a large piece of granite with a “nonrepresentational”

hole in it, three large stalks of bamboo with six Chinese vases and two crash helmets. Onwards I went, past the lumps of rock with mirrors and a display which looked like my grand-daughter’s plasticine efforts with a neon light.

Then I went into the hall with small sculptures made out of resin and rubbish. Did I mention the lump of wood and the concrete coloured shapes? Then I must admit I was impressed by the display of three scrap car doors from which a Roman centurion helmet had been fashioned.

Would the rest of the visual arts facility make any impression? Yes, the auditorium is a welcome addition to Colchester facilities.

However, the other spaces are equally catered for in the many hotels and other conference facilities in the Colchester area, which have the added advantage of car parking. Colchester is a letdown in comparison to Chelmsford and Ipswich.

The town is dirty and grotty in many areas which are regularly used and visited.

I have come to the conclusion the jobsworths at the town hall walk about the town with blinkered vision and just don’t seem to bother.

I suggest they get out the pressure-washers and cleaning materials, make an effort to keep all the public areas clean and tidy.

Ian Steele
Cambridge Road
Colchester