ERIC Wallis (Letters, August 1) is so right to remember when Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show was able to provide a glut of nostalgia on Friday and Saturday nights with music legends of the past.

However, he seems to have missed the point of the new Musical Entertainment Act which frowns on people meeting in an open field and enjoying themselves.

The new legislation calls for expensive detailed drawings, large volumes of calculations, heavy policing and private security guards, additional radios, alcohol control points, numerous notices, limited numbers of people allowed to attend the performances, high fencing of licensed area and, of course, the cost of the licence.

With all of this, the cost increased four-fold and the cost of engaging the bands paled into insignificance.

The reason for not having evening music and fireworks is the cost which left us, the organisers, spending more than the charity was able to raise each year. (The show is run to raise funds for charity).

Oh by the way, we have been informed that the people who attend those bygone evening events were antisocial, and had both drug and alcohol problems. For me they hold very fond memories, as with the rest of the organising team.

I am sure that since I last applied for a licence the list has grown, not least with a ban on smoking.

Since the demise of the evening events, we have increased the day-time entertainments to give a more interesting show and hopefully continue to give a good weekend of family entertainment with a little left over for the local charities.

TONY GREENHAM, secretary, Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show.