CHESTER MP Christine Russell is calling on enthusiastic film and arts lovers to join an action group aimed at saving the Chester Odeon. She has been heartened the former Odeon cinema in York has reopened as a cinema and arts venue. And next Wednesday she is meeting key players at the Town Hall including Jan Rowley, strategic director of community services at the city council, Cllr Eric Plenderleath, executive member for culture and community, Tony Slater, chairman of Chester Film Society, and community arts activist Rachel Dison. But she would like anyone committed to the cause to contact her with a view to joining the body she has dubbed the 'Odeon Action Group'. 'I would welcome anyone who has got time and enthusiasm - the more the merrier,' said Ms Russell, who can be e-mailed at: russellcm@parliament.uk or reached on 01244 400174. Ms Russell is concerned Chester is becoming 'a cultural desert' with the closure of the Odeon and The Gateway theatre, which may not be replaced until 2011. She said: 'I think the city council has got to show some strategic leadership, that is has a real commitment to improve the cultural offer in the city, to fill the vacuum until the new performing arts centre opens. 'We cannot have a city of the standing of Chester without any cultural offering, not just for the soul of local residents but to give visitors something to do in the evenings.' Yesterday (Thursday) she met Michael Eakin, executive director of Arts Council North West, who told her his body could not fund film-related activities directly but could award grants to other groups who may use a multi-purpose arts venue. She called the meeting to discuss general arts issues in the city because of concerns that neither the Literature or Music Festivals received any Arts Council grants this year. She was told the body was funding festival development officer Rosa Corbishley, whose job is to make sure Chester benefits from Liverpool being European Capital of Culture next year. The Arts Council is also funding the Ellesmere Port-based Action Transport Theatre Company to the tune of £230,000 and the Chester Performs organisation, set up in advance of the replacement performing arts centre, gets £120,000. | 
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