Pub axes big band night

For more than two decades, the Ronnie Smith Big Band has wowed regulars every month at the Tudor Close pub in Ferringham Lane.

But, just last month, Mr Smith was told his services would no longer be needed because, according to the pub, support for the band was dwindling. And last Sunday, the band performed at the pub for the last time.

Neil Christian, of Ashurst Close, Goring, was at the final gig and said in a letter to the Herald the decision to cancel the band had been made much to the fury and sadness of many of Mr Smith's fans.

In the letter he said: "As I stood in the packed audience of well over 200 people, I pondered how a pub's management would willingly give up the chance of having between 100 and 200 paying customers on a Sunday night.

"Clearly they feel they do not need the customers.

"Ronnie has been a true champion of big bands over the years by introducing many talented musicians into his band and bringing music to all generations over the years.

"It is people like Ronnie who deserve OBEs.

"On behalf of all of Ronnie's fans, may I say through the newspaper how much pleasure he has given us over the years and wish him and all his musicians well for the future."

Bob Brooman, the chef/manager at the Tudor Close, said the pub was bought from a private owner by East and West Taverns Ltd two years ago, but the decision was down to support for the band dropping.

Mr Brooman said: "The decision was entirely down to the support for the band dwindling.

"For the last show, hundreds of people came along and, if it could have been like that all the time, we would have been more than happy to carry on. It is a shame."