Edinburgh Festivals – Day 1

Amazingly this is my 12^th year of Edinburgh Festivals and despite all the predictions of it having outgrown its own boots it is back with an even bigger line up with a staggering 2500 shows. It has proved to be a great source of innovative, quality and cutting edge arts which we frequently programme as part of our work at Pound Arts and I am hopeful that this year will be no exception.

It was a desperately early 5am start this morning from Bath but we were in our first show by 11am. See my twitters (opposite) or those of my partner ianjmartin for up to date brief reviews of what we see.

I hope to see some great new work this year, some inspirational visual arts, and some challenging and thought provoking physical dance and theatre. But above all it is the city itself which never fails to impress me. The wonderful buildings, bold architecture and a pulse which never ceases - that is what Edinburgh Festival are all about.

In addition to my show and event tweets I will try to keep up a daily blog. Today comes from the cafe at the Underbelly – one of the most extraordinary (and smelly) venues. Despite the early start I am hoping for a second wind as I have several shows left tonight!

Corsham Almshouses saved - for now!

Wiltshire Council's planning meeting last night was livelier than usual with controversial plans for building nine single person's flats in the grounds of this grade 1 listed building on the agenda.

I spoke representing Corsham Town Council's unanimous recommendation for refusal of this this proposal and reminding the committee that this was backed up by overwhelming local opposition which demonstrated very strongly that this proposal is inappropriate.

As expected the meeting was packed with the good folk of Corsham (including a good few hecklers!). The debate lasted over an hour and a resolution was eventually proposed to reject the application which was carried by 6 votes to 3 (with one abstention).

So that is the end of round one! But I suspect this is not the end. The trustees may appeal - or submit an amended plan. But this must be costing them an enormous amount of money and questions may be asked as to whether this is an appropriate use of the charity's funds.

It was good to see how local opinion can make a difference - particularly when it is so strong, so vociferous and overwhelming that to override those views would be ill judged and a smack in the face of local democracy.