I am always sad when I read articles in your newspaper about The Hippodrome.

It is such a beautiful building being left to rot.

The only stars mentioned from the past are The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, though I’m pleased to see Max Miller gets the odd mention.

The Hippodrome is a place my father often took me in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

There were a variety of acts, sometimes 14 or 15 in one night. Some sat on the edge of the stage afterwards, chatting with the patrons as they left.

We either stood at the back of the stalls or sat in the small boxes at the rear.

Heaven help anyone taking their coat off when arriving at their seat in the stalls. In minutes it would be on a hanger and disappearing up to the ceiling.

It meant you definitely wouldn’t walk away before the finale.

Good old music hall – where did it go?

TV became available to the world at large in their homes and the decline happened.

I’m sure other readers have their own memories and can name the many performers who appeared.

I am so pleased my father gave me this experience so early in my life. I’ve loved theatre ever since. To me it is a great loss.

Please, someone, rescue The Hippodrome and return it to its past glory with a variety of acts. At the moment, I can’t see this type of entertainment returning in such a large building.

Prudence Turner, America Lane, Haywards Heath