The Brighton and Hove Entertainment Managers Association has finally had to close its doors after more than 60 years.

It was the voice of the entertainment world since the days of the Thirties when the two towns had many cinemas, theatres and other centres of leisure pursuits such as some of the hotels, the dog track, the race track and various clubs.

In the early days of the association there were a number of cinemas which were individually owned as well as the large chains such as the Odeon and the ABC, which, in those days, were huge buildings with only one screen. Now there are as many screens but fewer actual cinemas as the multiplex has become the order of the day.

The managers have a heavy workload and find it difficult to find time to give to the organisation and in the last few years it has been hard to find people to serve as officers.

Recently the officers have been drawn from retired members who have done sterling work in keeping the organisation going to support the working members.

But it is difficult to have a lively participation in the problems of the day if you are not actively involved in the day-to-day running of a venue and finally the organisation has run out of steam. The members feel it is better to bring it to a dignified end rather than try to limp on with no real purpose in life.

It is only four years ago that the association instigated an annual award to celebrate its diamond jubilee for the organisation which produced the most innovative work in the town or provided a unique facility.

It is ironic that the first award was won by the small ice rink in Queen's Square whose owners had battled against huge odds to get it back up and running after it had been abandoned.

It is the only ice facility in a town which was once the centre of excellence for ice hockey and nurtured a number of international skating stars and there is still no sign that the council will make good its expressed wish for an international-sized rink, even though there are companies willing to provide one.

Other winners, The Duke of Yorks Cinema and the Komedia, provided a venue for excellent innovative work, again without the provision of public money. Last year the award went to the Philharmonic Society for providing the only major classical music concerts under the inspiring leadership of Barry Wordsworth.

These awards will now be lost, as will be the charitable funds which the organisation raised through some of its activities, such as the Christmas lunch.

When my late husband first came to Brighton in 1970 you had to be standing ready at the door with a cheque in your hand to post the moment the application form for the lunch came through the letter box, it was so heavily subscribed.

This year the final funds will be distributed to the Cinema Trades Benevolent Fund, The Martlets and the Brighton's own competitive music festival.

The present president, Judy Cornwell, is the last of a distinguished line which included Alan Weeks and Alan Melville. The badges of office and the records have been donated to the museum and the local history archives, respectively.

It is sad to see the end of an era in showbusiness but it seems that it has outlived its time.