Transcript of the recording made by Darryl at 853blog of Leisure Councillor John Fahy responding to the public on Blackheath Halls:
Please note that several sections (crossed out) were really difficult to understand – if you can hear what is being said, please let me know in the comments, and I’ll tweak:
…er from Blackheath Halls, and many of us attend functions there and see the quality of the performances etc.
These are very dark days for the arts in the UK. I think not only have we had to make difficult decisions in Greenwich, we learned today that something like 300 organisations across the UK, I think 5 in Greenwich, have had their funds cut by the Arts Council.
So in that regard, it’s a very depressing time. <
In particularand the Friends representing here this evening asked some questions about the difficult choices the council had to make, both in respect of Blackheath Halls, the theatre, and Greenwich Dance Agency.In respect of the theatre and Greenwich Dance Agency, had we decided not to fund one, or the other, or both, we would find ourselves in a position where we would have two empty buildings on our hands, because they were buildings owned by the council. And that of course would be even more difficult, in the longer term.
In respect of Blackheath Halls, as I understand it the Blackheath Halls
covenanthas been purchased recently by Trinity Laban and obviously their performing arts are going to use the hall more extensively. And obviously that is a matter for them. But if the Friends look at paragraph 3.51 and paragraph 3.5.2, it relates to the fact following representations andall duescrutiny, cabinet has set aside a sum of £42,000 to support the delivery of community based and participatory projects across the borough. And I would urge strongly for Blackheath Halls to seek to keep that going.I’m very happy to meet friends of the Blackheath Halls because I think for any of us, we want to ensure that, at least here in Greenwich, as we move towards the Olympics, the Cultural Olympiad 2012, we don’t want any lights out in any of our quality buildings, and I very much hope that, with all of our joint efforts we can hope to keep Blackheath Halls, and lift its contribution to the community, which is set out very well in the programme that the Friends have very kindly circulated.
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thanks for featuring this in your blog. He says that the Blackheath Halls [inaudible] has been purchased recently by Trinity Laban (which is the music and dance conservatoire based in Greenwich and Depftord). I would imagine from a sense perspective that the inaudible word should be something like “freehold” or “company”, but it doesn’t sound like that on the recording.
The end of the penultimate para should be “to keep that going”.
‘something Olympiad’ = Cultural Olympiad (series of cultural events in run-up to Olympics).
Blackheath Halls covenant – maybe ‘property’? I agree with the commentor above about what he *should* say :)
http://www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/news-press/latest-news/blackheath-halls-freehold-acquired.aspx
Thanks – I’ve added the changes. I love the fact that the only concern is keeping the lights on.