paddock
|
charles style nominees - 2007/03/05 19:59
I am the Artistic Director of Paddock Productions, one of the arts groups asked by Charles Style to be part of the stakeholder visioning process. I am horrified to think that we are being considered stooges of Charles Style, and I wanted to write in to clarify that this is most definitely not the case. There is absolutely no way I would let Charles – or any other group, for that matter – bully or buy me into supporting or protesting a planning application over which I had doubts. At no time, has Charles ever suggested that we support his bid, or indeed entered into detailed conversation about it, other than asking for our professional opinion about what sort of arts centre building we believe would best suit the community as a whole.
I also want to add that it was The Paddock who contacted Charles, back in October, because we needed a large enough space in which to stage the community opera we have commissioned to be premiered in Lewes this summer, which already involves over 60 amateur singers, kids and adults, as well as 15 professional singers and band, so needs a lot of room! Some months after that, Charles asked us whether we would be interested in becoming stakeholders, as he thought there should be an arts facility as part of the development. I agreed, with the hope that besides suggesting a format for an arts centre, I could also in a small way, put my voice forward in the areas of sustainability, a carbon zero build, and the real risk of flooding. I am a paid-up member, so to speak, of Transition Town Lewes, and these areas are of real concern for me, as Charles well knows. When I attended the Vision Meeting, it was those topics I sat in on. I have even asked Charles to join a committee linked with Transition Town Lewes who want to see a car club established on whatever development takes place.
I am not naive: I agree that it is hard to have a true visioning process when things are this far down the road, but I also take the Council at face value when they say that they have not yet decided, and that there is still an option of no development. I share many of the same environmental concerns as Lewes Matters, but I'm not ready to demonize anyone yet. If the development does go ahead, I'd rather be talking to Charles, still trying to influence him, than not, but I would be very insulted if he tried to sway my vote in any way, and he has certainly not.
I appreciate what Lewes Matters is trying to do, and hope that this post will be accepted as part of the same democratic process they support.
|
