THE rejection of Swindon’s Lotto bid for museum and art gallery funding is a very bitter blow.

It should not, however, be interpreted as a cue for weeping, wailing, gnashing of teeth, rending of garments, recriminations or any related activity.

We do not have the time for such nonsense, and nor can we spare the energy, as both commodities are needed to press ahead with the next bid.

As most local people are only too well aware, the borough of Swindon boasts the finest art collection of 20th century British art outside the capital.

That collection is largely with us thanks to the efforts of great men and women from the past. Some were self-made philanthropists, others were visionary local politicians who helped to shape our history and still others fell into both categories.

What they all had in common was an unshakeable belief that art should be shared among the whole of the population rather than being cloistered for the benefit only of a social elite.

Unfortunately their intentions are substantially thwarted by the lack of available public gallery space. This is in spite of the sterling efforts by curators and staff t o rotate displays and allow as much of the collection to be seen as possible.

The bid for Lotto funding was well-constructed, and all involved should hold their heads high.

They should not allow this setback to blunt their determination to secure what the borough and its collection need and deserve.

It is far from uncommon for a first bid for Lotto funding to be rejected, and we should remember that there are many bids from all over the country for the finite resources available.

We were glad to learn a meeting is to be held at which the reasons for the rejection are to be listed. Armed with this data, our representatives will be able to move forward. They’ll do so with the support of us all.