TOWN leaders have determined to carry on with community projects - in spite of a failed arts festival.

Music in the Meadow - an ambitious three-day event put on as the centrepiece to this year's Charter 400 celebrations in Blandford (July 29-31) - was a washout because of residents' apathy, it is claimed.

But other projects are being supported and planned programmes will go ahead as will a scheme to make the Corn Exchange into a multi-purpose building with a role as an arts venue.

Cllr Sheila Chapman said the festival had a "tremendous" line-up which was not overpriced.

The acts which appeared on Saturday, July 30 included an Abba tribute band, Blues Brothers Incorp as well as a firework display. Tickets costs £12 - although tickets for the same programme at Kingston Maurward had cost £25, she said.

A ticket for the whole three-day event cost £20 and senior citizen tickets were only £10, Mrs Chapman added.

"The support was just not there," she said. "I honestly wonder what you have to do in Blandford to drum up enthusiasm.

"The weather itself wasn't helpful. At certain points it came down in stair roads but that's part of the fun at these festivals."

Mrs Chapman said the Free Expression Festival seemed to be going well, with plenty for adults and youngsters, and artists - as opposed to music-lovers - would be catered for this coming weekend.

"It's no good beating our breasts about it, we will just have to carry on," she said.

Cllr Chapman added that the town was pressing ahead with plans to make more use of the Corn Exchange in a makeover which could cost up to £1 million.

"It's slightly different, what we're trying to achieve there," she said.

"We want a better use of the building. Part of the funding is an arts element and we have got to establish that use."

Serious negotiations were taking place with English Heritage about the glazing in of the shambles - the arches in the front of the building - for use as a foyer, Cllr Chapman said.

And the idea of a designated cinema had been dropped in favour of versatile seating which could be easily removed so the floor space could be used for markets and other events, she added.

First published: August 9, 2005