Why was this top lecture so poorly attended? (From Dorset Echo)

Why was this top lecture so poorly attended?

10:50am Tuesday 9th February 2010

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I would like to start a debate - what does it take to put on a successful lecture or event in Weymouth/Dorchester?

What would people like, particularly in the field of film and writing?

Rather than wait for funding, I spent my own money putting on a talk by a distinguished national and international screenwriter and academic.

His name has featured in everyone's living room on TV credits since the 1960s.

His illustrated talk was brilliant, entertaining and well-researched, as you would expect.

All to an audience of nine, who were family and friends!

What was wrong? Was it the time, 10.30am on a Saturday? Or was it the (excellent) venue in Poundbury? Or was it the subject, realism in films?

Where were the film enthusiasts belonging to the Dorchester Film Society? Or the students in the Weymouth College’s media deptartment? Or just the curious public?

Posters were prominently displayed, also mailouts sent and the event was also, of course, featured prominently in Thursday's What’s On page in the Echo.

I felt I had let down my guest, who had travelled down early from Bournemouth and I felt let down by Dorchester.

It's not the first time events have not been supported - remember the Clare Teal outdoor concert.

Could it be that people don't recognise quality when they are offered it?

Simon Tudor-Harwood, Address supplied.

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