Rumour has it that the Tories are exploring with a property
developer the possibility of demolishing Fairfield Halls and redeveloping the
area. As the Halls are owned by the Council and leased to the Halls charitable
company, the Council can of course do what it likes. Sale of the site would only bring in a large capital receipt but
also mean the money budgeted to be invested in the Halls will not need to be
spent. If the rumour is true then it
is a high risk strategy for the Tories to follow. Whatever reservations people
have about the way the Halls are managed and the limited programme offer, there
could be a big backlash from the public
and the arts world. Many people supported the sale of the Riesco collection
because the money from the sales was supposed to be going to the refurbishment
of the Halls.
If the rumours are true then the future of the arts in Croydon
could become a big issue in the local elections. Both major parties have yet to
to set out their future cultural
strategies. The formation of the Croydon Arts Network independent of the
Council provides a real challenge to them.
Launch of Arts Network
The Network launch meeting was held on Saturday (15 February). A
diverse group of people have committed themselves to being on the Committee.
The next steps are to register the Network as a Community Interest Company. A
working group is already constructing a database.
The Network has developed from the initiative of the South
Croydon Community Association last year to look at the future of the Fairfield
Halls which led to the Arts Debate meeting. Concern about the future of the
arts as a result of Council decisions on the Riesco Collection the Warehouse
Theatre and the David Lean Cinema, coupled with a very fragmented but vibrant
arts community, plus interest from arts funders, has set the ground for the
Network to develop particularly into a way in which people can get to know each
other and work on new initiatives. There will be general meetings, similar to
Croydon Tech City, possibly every two months, social events to enable people to
get to know each other, and smaller meetings in different areas to link with
those who find it difficult to make general meetings in Central Croydon. The the
Network will be independent and be developed by those taking part. One of its
most important functions will be assisting people to get to know each other
across organisations enabling them to generate new ideas and activities.
Arts,
Culture and Heritage
Culture
is the characteristics of a particular group of people, defined by everything
from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. In Britain culture
is influenced by the many groups of people that now reside here, re-shaping it
not only in diverse ways but also in cross-pollination. Croydon’s local history
and heritage is an important aspect of that wider culture and changes as it
reflects that growing diversity and interaction. The most powerful forces,
however, reshaping that heritage as reflected in the built environment, are
largely developers seeking to make massive profits regardless of what effects
they have on local communities. The arts, cultural and heritage activity have a
role in helping people understand Croydon better and shape what kind of society
we want. Specific arts activities can be used to illustrate the heritage
allowing people to explore, interpret and express their cultural values through
telling a story about local people communities and events.
Among
the many initiatives in arts, culture and heritage over the last couple of
years have been:
·
The
Croydon Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Festival 12 commemorating the 100th
anniversary of the death of Croydon’s black composer, the programme including
the world premiere of his opera Thelma.
·
The
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Network promoting knowledge about the composer and
promoting event sin Croydon and elsewhere.
·
The
launch of Croydon Citizen to encourage debate on local affairs, history and
culture, first on the web and now also in print, and which includes
contributions on historical topics and their relevance today, including the
series on London Rd by Kake.
·
The
Croydon Heritage Festival, sponsored by the Whitgift Foundation, now being
planned for its second year from Saturday 21 June to Friday 4 July.
·
The
David Lean Cinema Campaign’s film shows and the growth of other film show
initiative, e.g. at Ruskin House.
·
Community
history projects e.g. in Broad Green and the proposed South Croydon Heritage Trail.
·
The
setting up of the Croydon Radical History Network to explore the hidden
histories of Croydon: working-class, labour movement, friendly societies, the
fight for the vote, black and Asian, etc.
Debate,
networking, sharing information and working together on projects is key to
enriching the arts, cultural and heritage mix. Venues like Matthews Yard, The
Spread Eagle, Ruskin House, and other community halls and pubs enable small
arts organisations to show case their work, but often have limited audience
capacity.
Are There Potential Alternative Buildings for Cultural Centre?
If
Fairfield Halls is demolished then the larger venues it provides disappear
meaning Croydon can no longer attract national shows touring the country. An
alternative venue will be needed.
One
possibility is SEGAS House (32 Park Lane). Since its closure in 1949, this
building has been the subject of numerous speculative fantasies, but all have
failed to materialise. Its Grade II listed status has made the reuse of the
building commercially unviable, and therefore is not included in the vision for
the Town, resulting in its exclusion from the current vision for the
town. Are there other empty neglected buildings which could be looked at
as well?
If
the Tories regain control in May and sell the Fairfield Halls then there will
need to a strong campaign to ensure that the Community Infrastructure Levy
funds turning any alternative buildings
into
a new cultural centre. If Labour gains control then it will need to make its
position on the future of the Halls clear – will it retain them or follow the
Tories lead?
Arts, cultural and heritage writings
Fairfield
Halls and Arts Debate
http://insidecroydon.com/2013/05/29/charity-commission-to-examine-takover-of-fairfield-halls
(quoted)
The Council
and Culture
Engaging in
Cultural Activities
Croydon’s Black
History
Chartism and
Croydon
Paul Robeson
12 Years A Slave –
The Context
Keep on singing
along to Pete Seeger
Taras Shevchencko
200th Anniversary of birth of Ukrainian poet.
artist and nationalist – to be published
by Croydon Citizen
South Croydon
Heritage
3 parter - to be published by Croydon Citizen
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Network
Set up December 2009
https://sites.google.com/site/samuelcoleridgetaylornetwork http://historyandsocialaction.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/two-commemorations-to-samuel-coleridge.html
Croydon Radical
History Network
First
Newsletter January 2014: Why a Radical History Network for
Croydon?; Croydon Citizen Postings; Croydon’s Labour Movement 1860s
-1930s; Some Croydon People; Riot Damages 1887; An
Introduction to Ruskin House; William Pare – Advocate of
Co-operation; Croydon International Language Club.
The
Network is considering what activities to run during the Croydon Heritage
Festival.
History &
Social Action Publications
HAS
Diary – events, news, comments on Croydon and elsewhere. Available via email - sean.creighton1947@btinternet.com.
Stephen
Bourne & Esther Bruce. Esther Bruce. A Black London Seamstress. Her
Story 1912-1994. £4 + 50p p&p
Penelope
Corfield. Vauxhall. Sex and Entertainment. London's Pioneering
Urban Pleasure Garden. (revised edition with new chapter).
£5 + £1 p&p
Jeffrey
Green. Coleridge-Taylor. A Centenary Celebration. £4 plus 50p
p&p
Peter
Kuenstler. Learning About Community (Oxford House Bethnal
Green). £5 plus £1 p&p
Jon
Newman. Battersea's Global Reach.
The History of Price's Candles. £5 plus £1 p&p
Jason
Young. Mother Seacole. Short Story. £2 plus 50p p&p
Edwardian Roller-Skating
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