Arts chairman bemoans lack of funding

Figures sent to him from the council show that Buckinghamshire received just £161, 534 for the arts during the 2008/09, with the Chiltern area receiving no grants whatsoever.
In comparison, Kent received £871, 788, Oxford was given £536, 194 and Hampshire £403, 381.
Even Surrey, which received the lowest amount after Bucks, was given £223,110.
Mr Milner, who lives in Chesham, said: "It's ridiculous. There is a huge amount of artistic talent in this area that is not being tapped into at the moment because there is not enough funding.
"Art in this area is just not developing enough because of the lack of money, and something needs to be done about it."
Mr Milner is now urging any artists or musicians to join the Chiltern Arts Forum so that the Arts Council will be able to see just how much talent there is in the area.
Tom Greenwood, a musician from Chesham, said: "More and more people, especially musicians, are moving away to different areas to work and perform because there are just not the facilities here. It is a real shame, because there is a lot of potential here but it is not being recognised at all."
Mr Milner added: "We really need people to join the forum to show how much art there is here and to demonstrate exactly why we need more money from the arts council."