GRAVES SITUATIONS: What a tragedy top acts have nowhere to play...

AN email this week brought into sharp focus again just how much Rotherham is missing a top class concert venue.

Reader Dave Roddis reminds me that it was 50 years last Thursday that Pink Floyd played the much-missed Clifton Hall.

He was quick to point out: “I didn’t go — I’m not that old. Just a big Floyd fan and just always remember seeing it in my many books.

“I used to go to school with a kid whose dad did the lights that night.  

Just thought it was an interesting bit of trivia knowing not many of the greats played in Rotherham.”

Unfortunately, we will never attract the biggest names again because there is nowhere for them to play.

OK so we have the City Hall and the Arena in Sheffield (plus smaller venues), plus the Dome in Doncaster...and the list goes on — except in Rotherham.

My old mate Mick Hill is doing great things at The Cutlers and he tells me that last week was another great weekend.

The pub is certainly gaining a growing reputation throughout not only this area but far beyond.

What a pity it’s not bigger.

And decent acts are regularly brought to The Trades. Apart from the two places, there’s nothing.

I do find it strange that a town the size of Rotherham has neither a proper concert venue nor a purpose-built theatre.

With the town centre struggling for survival, perhaps the local authority for one has not missed the boat.

Something should have been done years ago but wasn’t.

That being the case I’m still baffled as to why major concerts can’t be held in Clifton Park.

I know that small events have been held but what a lift it would give the place if a major festival could be organised.

On this page is a poster for an open air concert in Clifton Park in 1971. If I’m not mistaken it was held to celebrate the centenary of Rotherham borough.

If memory serves me right I attended and a good time was had by all.

So it can be done. I appreciate times have changed and it would not be straightforward.

But other places do it.

So wouldn’t it be worth the local authority looking into the idea — or even a private promoter.

Or am I being unreasonable?

Read more Graves Situations in this week's Rotherham Advertiser