LETTERSFrom Brian Greening, Newport:
TWO months ago I was advised a prominent county councillor had advocated the selling of Newport Guildhall. I chose not to believe the rumour but it appears there was no smoke without fire.
Now it has become clear why the tourist information centre was removed from the Guildhall. Get them out and we shall be able to get a better price with vacant possession.
While those friends of David Cameron and advocates of the Big Society are at it, why not throw in the two ceremonial maces? That might make the offer price more attractive.
What does history mean to that bunch of Philistines?
It will soon be 200 years since the building was erected and, since then, it has had such people as Queen Victoria, Garibaldi and Jack Seely (who was told to leave his horse, Warrior, tied up downstairs) on the balcony.
They even let a few MPs stand there too, using it to announce the end of world wars.
Just weeks ago, we had an outburst from Cllr David Pugh, criticising our parish council over its offer of £20,000 towards restoring the Guildhall part-way to its former glory.
Probably it needs a lot more than that but has anybody considered applying for a lottery grant?
Better we all agree, let’s knock it down, sell the site to Tesco and soon we will not have to take a car ride out to Asda.
Our only consolation is our council does not own Carisbrooke Castle, too, because I feel sure that within 12 months it would have that knocked down and built a block of flats there.