APPENDICES: South East Northumberland Arts Development Study, by Sara Robinson
2011
APPENDICES
Appendix 1: The interviewees
Professional / Semi-Professional Artists
Elaine Pope
Independent artist / BRIC
Ted Taylor
Artist (Blyth)
Tony Murray
Artist (Cramlington)
Peter Seddon
Artist (Newbiggin)
Jason Thompson
Sound Ideas (Newbiggin)
Barry Stone
Writer (Seaton Delaval)
Northumberland based arts and heritage organisations
(regularly funded)
Geof Keys
QHA
Helen Moore
BVAL
Bruce Ledger
BVAL
Susan Dungworth
Chair of BVAL
Keith Merrin, CEO
Woodhorn
Juliet Hardy, NE Generation Woodhorn
Jasmin Earnshaw-Brown
Creative and Performing
& Lesley Scott
Arts
June Drage
Artists Network
Judith Cashman, CEO
Seaton Delaval Hall
Mileva Donachie
N'land Youth Dance Hub
Cinzia Hardy
November club
Northumberland based arts and heritage organisations
(unfunded)
Eddie Galvin
Newbiggin Arts Forum
Eva Hartley
KEAP Creative
Keith Naylor
Cramlington Folk Club
Mark Pringle
Seaton Delaval Arts Centre
VIcar Peter Bryars
Bottleworks Seaton Sluice
Gary Melling
NE Music Factory
Jo Gooding
Newbiggin Maritime Cen.
Ann Hogarth
Holywell St Mary’s Art Club
Mary Hunter
Simon Side Dance A'demy
Doreen Gilespee
Pop Bottles in New Hartley
Alison Robson
Headway Arts
& Paul Denton
Anita Romer
Seaton Sluice Music Fes.
Anne Suggate, CEO
20,000 Voices
Independent consultants living or working in the area
Sarah Hudson
Independent consultant
Declan Baharini
Independent consultant
Colin Mitchel
Transforming Culture
Dave Hill
ArtsReach
And 20 young people from YPIN, and Northumberland
College
Community organisations who deliver arts sessions
Jean Bell
Briardale Centre
Eileen Carty
Buffalo Community Centre
Kath George
BRIC
Aileen Barrass
Resident Invol Offi. Homes
for N'land
Janet Cresswell
Ashington D'ment Trust
Andrew Gooding
Lynemouth D'ment Trust
Regional arts organisations
Esther Hingle
Rosie Cross
Claire Smith
Danielle Neighbour
Jo Thornton
Erica Whyman
Katherine Zeserson
Helen Green
Anna Didley
Mary Lowe
Bill Griffiths
Tony Harrington
Juliana Mensah
Victoria Smyth
Highlights
Highlights
Creative Partnerships
Dance City
Generator
Northern Stage
SAGE (TSG)
The Bridge org. (TSG)
New Writing North
Voluntary Arts NE
Tyne and Wear Museums
The Forge
Helix Arts
Taking Part Workshops
Funders / strategic organisations
Ray Browning
NCC, Regeneration
Lyn Turner
NCC
Lisa Nevens
NCC
Wendy Scott
NCC
Sam Taylor
NCC
Debra Lowe
NCC
Linda Fakir
NCC
Nigel Walsh
NCC
?
NCC Libraries
Nicolas Baumfield
ACE
Brendan Murphy
ACE
Maurice Bransfield
Hd of N'land Youth Service
Sharon Stirling
Youth Service
Luke Bramall
YPIN (Youth Service)
Mike Hensley
Youth Service
Brenda
NHS Foundation
Caroline Pearce
Creative Ambassadors
Charles Tremeer
Wansbeck CVS
Fiona Wardlaw
CVS Blyth
??
Connect 4 Change
APPENDICES: South East Northumberland Arts Development Study, by Sara Robinson
2011
Appendix 2: Excel spreadsheet mapping regular arts activity (see separate document)
Appendix 3: List of artists
A list of professional, semi professional and amateur painters, writers, ceramicists, musicians, glass artists, calligraphers,
jewellers, cross stitch, felters, sculptors... living in south east Northumberland. Names supplied by KEAP Creative, Rev Peter
Bryars (Bottleworks) and Elaine Pope and Tony Murray (artists). NB These people may supply contacts details of the artists
below if needed.
Alan & Pip Driver
Alan Foster
Alan Lisle
Alan Little
Alan Vinters
Alan Watson
Alison Davies
Andy Treadwell
Ann Bridges
Ann Hogarth
Anne Mawer
Anne Roberts
Barry Clasper
Barry Stone
Ben Smith
Bill Brown
Bill Woods
Brian Home
Brian Towers
Carol Scott
Chris Crane
Chris Longden
Christine Tose
Claire Cooper
Claire Masterman
Collette Connolly
Dave Edwards
David Fenwick
David Foggo
David Hall
David Railton
Debbie Kimmins
Denis Watson
Denise Manderson
Derek Thompson
Diane Stewardson
Doreen Gilhespy
Dorothy Croydon
E. Rose. Findlay
Elaine Pope
Elsie Thompson
Eric Rothwell
Ernie Raisbeck
Eva Hartley
Framk Aird
Frances Mullarkey
Frank Doyle
Gary Simpson
George Hancock
George Todd
George Chapman
Gill Pinkney
Gladys McCoulough
Harry Lees
Hazel Angus
Helen Allott
Honor Hutchinson
Jack Little
James Aynsley
James Davison
Jan Terry
Jane Akhurst
Jane Eleanor Norcross
Jane Pritchett
Janet Myhill
Jason Thompson
Jo Burke
John Cooper
John Fox
Julia Robson
Karen Johnson
Karen Willis
Kath Davidson
Kathryn Watson
Keith & Caroline Stephen
Keith Cochrane
Ken Ogle
Ken Park
Lin Thompson
Linda Rutherford
Majorie Firth
Malcolm Vince
Michael Ewart
Marcus Evans
Margaret Anderson
Margaret Stephenson
Marion Todd
Mary Abbott
Maureen Burns (Twist)
Maureen Stephenson
Maureen Twaddle
Michael Ewart
Michael Smith
Mick Oxley
Mike Knox
Nell Mcgrath
Nicola Craig
Nigel Morton
Olive Taylor
Pamela Shears
Patricia Herrod
Patricia Lutman
Paul Kingham
Peter Charlton
Peter Endean
Peter Fairbairn
Peter Francis
Peter Seddon
Pippa Little
Rachel Noble
Ray Campbell
Ray Campbell
Rob Jordan
Robert Pilkington
Robert Twaddle
Sandra Smith
Sandy Egan - Fowler
Sara Scott
Sarah Bryars
Sarah Jackson
Sheila Wilson
Simon Henderson
Simon Terry
Sonia Aitchison
Stella Bell
Steve Thompson
Stuart Air
Sue Kingham
Ted Tallantyre
Ted Taylor
Terrance Cave
Terry Cave
Tom Fleming
Tony Murray
Trevor Nichol
Trevor Walker
William Bell
Yvette Reynolds
APPENDICES: South East Northumberland Arts Development Study, by Sara Robinson
2011
Appendix 4: Examples of current best practice in SEN
Here are some examples of projects which our interviewees feel are already great about the arts in South East
Northumberland:
Seaton Sluice Music Festival
Instigated this year, volunteer run and funded by local sponsorship and trusts, Seaton Parish Council and fundraising
events, this festival comprised activities for ages 1 - 101 and couldn’t meet the demand for community involvement.
The weekend programme included an outdoor silver singing choir, harp workshops for all ages in the community
centre, a tea dance with accordion player, a Ceilidh band in the village school, free music workshops for children in
the church, a percussion group with the pre-school group, three months of schools activity, composing for children
who could play an instrument, coffee mornings with live music, an outdoor fete with the Collier brass band, a sea
shanty competition, a Geordie music night and more! Several events were run by professional musicians and
traditional music experts living in the village, and the support from Fiona Wardlaw at CVA Blyth Valley was hugely
welcomed in getting the group up and running. This passion, use of local expertise and location of this event has
considerable potential to flourish but further support is needed.
Woodhorn's Time Travel Northumberland
Artist and project manager Juliet Hardy (previously Young People’s Co-ordinator: of mima) was recruited by
Woodhorn to run Time Travel Northumberland, part of NE Generation funded by the Legacy Trust (Cultural
Olympiad). Her brief was to use the resources and archives at Woodhorn to engage young people in a two year
programme of cultural activity. New to the area, she found that levels of participation in existing artist led projects
in SEN were very low (e.g. Film clubs, workshops, BBC animation workshops). She realised that work had to be
effectively marketed and start with what the young people state they want, rather than bringing in ready-made
projects. She also found that open calls for participants yielded few people, so she started working in partnership
with existing groups and worked more collaboratively with the Youth Service, development trusts, and alternative
education settings. She had a job to convince youth workers of the value of the work initially, and found that a lack
of information and databases meant she had to be extra vigilant in seeking partners out.
Juliet says that lack of confidence is a huge issue amongst young people in SEN, as is a sense that cultural activities
are not for them because they can't easily see the benefits. They need convincing that the quality will be high and
that the incoming artists will be great. So together with the young people, she plans projects with a physical
outcome and builds on confidence levels.
Highlights include a Takeover Day (Children’s Commissioner – Championing Children and Young People in England
) with young people from Silx Teen Bar in Blyth looking at changing fashions; a Big Brother immersive project sets in
the 1840's involving 45 young people living at Featherstone castle for a week. Planned by young people for young
people the whole experience will immerse them in the 1840s lifestyle. Our Sporting Life exhibition about sporting
heritage and the history of football in Northumberland created by young people from Choysez (Bedlington) shown
at Concordia leisure centre in Cramlington. This exhibition was seen by 140, 000 people over the course of the
show. (r38 exhibition – on show at Woodhorn in the West Gallery a response to the Video Game Nation
exhibition and the traditions of the miners picnic involving100 young people from alternative education
organisations working with illustrators, artists and gaming specialists. DFAF, a digital/ archive film project working
with 20 young people from Ashington has been selected as a stand out success story for the UK and will be part of a
showcase DVD produced by the British Film Institute. Projects in the making or ongoing a youth Pitman Painters
project; inspirational messages representing young NE voices sent via homing pigeons; fashion shows, DVDs, an
exploration of the Woodhorn's extensive film archive and running public film events and more. The emphasis is on
skills development, confidence building and ideas initiated and shaped by young people.
Barefoot Dance Project
Voluntary run and self-funded Holywell Arts Group was one of four community and education groups to work with
Northumbrian based artists Tony Murray or choreographer Tim Rubbidge and mount an exhibition / dance piece in
Seaton Delaval Hall. This initiative was run by BVAL and exemplifies how voluntary and education groups, working
together with artists generate work shown in high profile spaces. Holywell Arts Group was once part of a university
APPENDICES: South East Northumberland Arts Development Study, by Sara Robinson
2011
lifelong learning programme and when funding came to an end, the members continued it. They organise weekly
classes, trips to exhibitions and mount their own exhibitions in the community centre. The Barefoot project enabled
them to work with a professional artist in figurative and sculpture work (they primarily focus on landscape painting
and printing) and utilise a more professional space to exhibit.
Newbiggin Arts Forum Ltd (NBAF)
Not long after arriving in Newbiggin, Eddie Galvin wanted to invigorate the economy and aspirations of the area and
had the idea to create the St Ives of the North. He found sculptors, glass artists, ceramicists, musicians and more
living in the area and set up a group in 2006. A community arts resource with social development at its heart, today
Newbiggin Arts Forum Ltd has a building with a gallery, workshop space and office spaces (let out to 20,000 Voices
amongst others). There are three aspects to their work:
1. monthly members art based meetings;
2. the facilitation of off-shoot groups (youth dance, youth drama, craft, media, film, life drawing,
creative writing, photography, spoken word and others)
3. a venue for activity, art gallery and office space
Much of the work is voluntarily led, though NBAF draws a rental income and has been successful in bringing in
regeneration and trusts based funding. It struggles however to attract arts funding and Eddie sees a disconnect
between what the 'arts world' see as quality and NBAF's desire to be inclusive to all. Whilst far from being on a
strong financial footing, NBAF has played a major part in the creative development of the area, inspiring the start of
many new arts groups. A strong example of how the energy and vision of an individual can affect an area.
Working on estates
Scotland Gate Housing estate
Over a few years, artists, designers and theatre practitioners were brought in to work with the
local Community Association via Wansbeck District Council Community and Arts Development Officers to help 'turn
the estate around'. Slowly, houses stopped being boarded up and people moved back in again.
Castles Estate, Ashington
On this estate, residents who had formed their own association were concerned about an apparent break down of
communications between the generations, which led to young people complaining of being moved on or treated
with suspicion, even if they were just hanging around with their mates and older people feeling frightened of these
same groups of young people. The residents discussed the problem with the local community development worker
and all agreed that music was an intergenerational pleasure and could perhaps be used in some way to help bring
the generations together on the estate. Help from Wansbeck District Council Cultural Services Manager and advice
from The Sage led to the employment of musicians to work with this community and ultimately to the formation of
a local, all age, community samba band who 'woke up' the estate on occasion by playing around the streets. The
band was invited to play at the turning-on of the Ashington Christmas lights that year. This project had several
planned outcomes including widening opportunities to get involved in the arts, breaking down barriers on this
particular estate and building up the pride and sense of achievement of the members of that community.
NE Music and Dance Factory
For sheer scale alone, this Blyth based, self-sustaining organisation needs a mention as they run 35 classes for 800
young people in dance and music per week, mostly in SEN. They have acquired a 1000square ex-car showroom foot
base in Blyth with dance spaces and recording studios. They run Rockschool, deliver arts awards, have recently won
voluntary organisation of the year, are a delivery agent of Street Games 2012, receive Children in Need funding and
work internationally.
Headway's Seven Stars Theatre company
Based in Blyth, Seven Stars are Northumberland's full time Learning Disabled Theatre Company. Formed in 1997,
the Stars devise and perform their own work, supported by Headway Arts who produce & direct their shows. They
perform in traditional theatres, community venues, colleges and internationally having transnational links with
APPENDICES: South East Northumberland Arts Development Study, by Sara Robinson
2011
Denmark, Lithuania, France, Belgium & Malta. Part of their funding comes from Northern Rock, and part is self
generate through activities like their annual sponsored walk from Seaton Sluice to Blyth.
Seven Stars also host the annual 'Come On Down' international festival of creativity & performance for learning
disabled artists. The event also offers a programme of workshops, performances and exhibitions of work from
emerging and experienced disabled artists working regionally, nationally and internationally. This festival happens in
Blyth, and people travel from all over the world to attend but Headway feel increasingly embarrassed at the lack of
good venue facilities available in SEN to host it adequately.
Pop Bottles
The one ongoing visual arts groups for children that we know of in SEN. This was developed in 2008 in response to
the Trustee's vision for an accessible, changing church gallery and cafe at Seaton Sluice Church (Bottleworks). A
junior arm was wanted and so Pop Bottles was born. It runs monthly for ages 7 - 14 with approximately 15
participants a time and costs £1 a session. They also run day trips out to galleries, heritage spaces, or take groups to
do photography in the woods. They access occasional local trust funding but tend to reply on local people to share
skills at no cost. Their involvement in the Barefoot Dance and arts project welcomed the input of professional artist
Tony Murray. They would love a list of artists who enjoy working with children and could impart new skills and some
funding support to help bring them in.
Northumbria Health Trust Foundation
This initiative puts arts work and performances into Blyth Community Hospital and Wansbeck General Hospital.
With support from Helen at BVAL and local arts curator Elaine Pope, they see a changing display of children's art
work from schools (though the schools take up is low) and local artists in the restaurant and corridor walls. There is
permanent sculpture, photography and paintings by professional artists, and music students from Blyth come and
perform in groups or as individuals in day care and palliative care wards. The wards have seen hip hop and Scottish
dance, poets, guitarists, solo singers, clarinet payers and more. The Trust would like to develop stronger links with
schools, local artists and arts education organisations to build on this provision.
Writing Group
Writer Barry Stone runs a Wednesday evening course in Holywell Community Centre. Funded as part of a wider
access programme by the North East Centre for Lifelong Learning (Sunderland University) the most committed
members (10 mature students without first degrees, aged 32 - 72, of whom 3 are from SEN) opted to continue what
they'd learnt beyond the initial life of the course. It has now been running for 64 weeks with a zero drop-out rate
and students achieve accreditation to HE Level 1. The group work on a range of writing styles (TV/film/stage/novels)
with longer term, weekly opportunities to develop their work and critique one another. Barry says this longer term
approach means the quality of learning is high.
**************
Interviewees were also asked what creative projects they'd love to see in SEN. Here are some of the ideas they
came up with:

permanently illuminate the sea front from in Newbiggin & from the beach huts in Blyth so it can be seen from
100 miles away. The senior lighting engineer from SAGE lives in Newbiggin - he's lit up Skegness, Stanley (and
Jerusalem!);

a major SEN photography project: NOT castles, mines, ships and coasts, more about life in the area now, working
alongside young photographers. Young photographers can then also be available to document other events.

Bring the stunning ballroom on the first floor of Ashington Co-op back to life as an arts and social space of
activities and events.
APPENDICES: South East Northumberland Arts Development Study, by Sara Robinson
2011

Bring Shaun Henry back for the 5th anniversary his work on the couple. He could work with and within the
community, generating real work and opening up discussions about art and artists and why they do what they do.

A new production about the mining legacy, performed in SEN and on the mainstage for Northern Stage - all
developed in SEN

More singing. Everywhere. Daytime singing for people based at home, cross generational, early yrs, community and
Sing Up.

A modern version of the Pitman Painters, and more art classes for children and young people with interest and
talent.

An annual arts festival and conference, across the area, or specifically, an annual Festival of Dance. The Big Dance
2012 on Blyth Beach?

Music students performing in hospital waiting rooms, wards and palliative care spaces. GP's referring people to art
classes as an alternative to traditional prescription.

Outdoor events: Bring back the Festival of Light / fireworks. The Tall Ships was better than the Newcastle one. A
mini Glastonbury by the sea, summer season animation with the Bandstand animations, sand sculpture, street
performances etc.

Events in venues: The Bootleg Beatles in NB sports centre.

An international Sea Shanty competition as part of the new Music Festival in Seaton Sluice.

Vibrant murals on the under passes in Cramlington.

Magic Saturday: an annual day where EVERYONE in the village creates a piece of art.

Arts initiatives which develop real employment possibilities, like garden sculptures.

Large scale Community Plays. i.e. resurrect a Vanborough restoration comedy!

An outdoor drive in or walk in movie - themed, Rocky Horror or Star Wars or family or classics etc..
Appendix 5: Regional organisations
This table outlines the responses from North East regional arts organisations, when asked if and how they
could deliver in the area:
Tyne and Wear
Museums
(spoke to Bill
Griffiths)



New Writing
North (NWN)
(spoke to Anna



Have worked with the population in this area before through the programme with
Woodhorn. Woodhorn is the only accredited museum in SEN which means that it meets UK
standards for museums and galleries. Other museums in the area include Blyth Battery, Seaton
Sluice Watch House, Seaton Delaval Hall, Newbiggin Heritage Centre and Woodhorn.
Won't know future focus on renaissance funding (with typically funds engagement
programmes) till Oct, now in hands of ACE. Some potential there.
Have various engagement programmes - such as Culture Shock - a digital storytelling
programme that could be used to engage populations in the area.
Already working with Geoff to work with N'land based writers, but SE N'land not involved
currently. Willing to do prof dev for writers groups & y p.
No database of what writing groups exist. But database of writers (3 on their list from SE).
What would make NWN target SEN? Funding available / interesting projects / artistically
APPENDICES: South East Northumberland Arts Development Study, by Sara Robinson
Disley)







SAGE
(spoke to
Katherine
Zeserson)






Northern Stage
(spoke to Erica
Whyman)





2011
lacking or see a gap / but nobody knocking on their door.
Can support writers to apply for GfrA - especially aspiring writers and work with young people.
If no funding NWN are looking for young people's groups to work with, but need a local vibrant
person to do it on the ground. They could support it and provide writer for few sessions to
work with y p and worker to inspire them.
If Seaton D'Hall said can we have a writer in residence for say, 6months - 2 yrs (based on long
Benton & killingworth model), and could put a little bit of funding on the table, NWN could
manage the process and look for match funding to make it possible.
Local Libraries - Read Regional programme - identify 8 writers from a region every yr and
promote reading of them - libraries involved etc.
Always up for discussion.
NWN priorities - young people, spotting talent, northern writers awards, production and
publishing opportunities & commissioning, literary events & festivals, community engagement
work.
Basis for a subject/piece of work i.e. Live theatre looking to develop a play about a dementia
care setting. Could be in SE Northumberland... ?
SAGE have undertaken an analysis of the work the SAGE have done in the county. Available on
request. Have worked in Newbiggin, Blyth, Ashington, Bedlington and Cramlington, particularly
in schools on short term initiatives. Also partnered with 20,000 voices. Currently have an SLA
with Bede Academy on singing, a string scheme and transition work.
Happy to offer many activities but most needs paying for - but not all. They bring partnership
opportunities and access to external funding. i.e. Could offer skills based 'urban art' activities
for 16-18 NEETs 'Foundation Learning' - could secure a contract in partnership with the Youth
Service/NCC, but funded externally.
Could do early years focus (as currently being done in Durham & Tees Valley), or one of
animation events, folk days, but would rather have a longer term relationship with the area.
Bede Academy a good start - had plans to occupy the building opp the school to establish SAGE
Gateshead in Blyth with family weekend sessions, silver programme (older people) but issues
with the building and school didn’t pick it up. Could be revisited. Need building but could supply
many sessions/musicians for free. Need someone in the area to help make it happen.
Relationship with Music Service - could help strategically lead it in the county or specifically in
SEN? In SEN it's about social developmental needs as much as making music - how can
resources be configured to meet the needs of the children and young people? It goes beyond
the schools, needs a fresh approach - could embed a team of musicians in the area working
with community development for all ages, like artists in residence, raising ambitions, joining
people up. 120 musicians on their payroll. Needs talking through.
New role as Bridge organisation. Still working it out. 3 year programme but got to be used for
strategic sector/organisational change (in the ay Sing Up was) Headlines are:
that it enables children and young people to see the possibilities of what cultural
entitlement might be. This is not about leafleting, but a more profound approach so
that talking about the arts becomes normal. A consistency and coherency of
information and communication. Raising awareness also amongst families, linking up
Youth Service, Arts Mark, Cultural Ambassadors etc.
high quality product and process
identify 'cold spots' and support people to find the resources to make things happen
Sage can offer SEN a partnership approach to seeking funding, particularly non arts funding N'land could be better at doing this. But need someone in SEN / NCC working with them to
make it happen.
Were working in Cramlington School, doing residencies with GCSE an A Level students to make
productions over 8-12 weeks. Very proactive teacher (Ruth Johnson - who has now left the
school to become a performer and work with Northern Stage!). The young people developed
their own company.
Pupils from some SEN schools attends Christmas show and poss other shows.
Also have a teachers Forum for all teachers in the NE to input in NS work and take advantage of
opportunities. Not sure anyone from SEN attends.
Always interested in hearing great, untold stories which could become part of a commissioned
production. Looking for an interesting story about young women currently. Also looking to do
something around miners - a play for the mainstage but aspects of could be performed in the
community the story is from.
Also developing a young company called North who could tour to the area.
APPENDICES: South East Northumberland Arts Development Study, by Sara Robinson


Dance City
(spoke to
Danielle
Neighbour and
Malava)
Baltic
Generator
(spoke to Jo
Thornton)
2011
Also do a summer school for ages 10-20 - any budding actors from SEN could apply - there are
bursaries.
To work more in the area they need someone knocking on their door, a list of interested
teachers and youth groups, youth service who want to work in partnerships and an help make
things happen on the ground.

Already rolling out the Northumberland Youth Dance Hub (Dance City initative) across the
county which involves Ashington/Newbiggin and Cramlington through the schools. Includes
boys only work and this led to a youth dance platform in Hexham. Interestingly, when one
school wasn’t supporting the project effectively, Newbiggin Arts Forum stepped in and
provided space for free.

Also run the Centre for Advanced Training. Currently 5 young people doing CAT are from Blyth
and one has just got into Rambert.

As a feeder for CAT, there are Foundation Training Programmes for talented young people aged
8 - 13, in certain areas in the NE, and one is in Blyth at Blyth Community College. The school
fundraised from the Youth Sports Trust to keep the session free for pupils, who are recruited
from any schools in the area who respond to the offer . They do weekly sessions preparing for
audition for CAT.

Also, the Regional Youth Dance Hub Platform could be in N'land next year - could be SEN but
need a venue to seat 250+ with a big enough stage... i.e. Blyth school?

Malava (N'land Youth Dance Hub) is also doing the Big Dance next year - looking for space to
host it - could consider Bylth beach area.

Dance City are up for linking more with interested schools.
No answer (tried many times).




Offer Musician support and Business support through a variety of programmes.
Done very little in N'land. Did a day long introduction to Music Business Enterprise in Blyth but
not v well attended (6 people despite considerable interest helped by NE Music Factory).
Assume the more serious music businesses will travel to N'castle to access Generator's support
there.
Have a number of music businesses from Blyth and Ashington on their database, offering live
event promotion, PA hire, CD duplication, music publishing etc.
Also offer Urban Music Training programmes for young people aged 11-24 (funded by Youth
Music) looking at music production, vocalist course, play course (get people out of their
bedrooms playing with others). Could do in SEN but need a local organisation to work with.
Appendix 6: The Phoenix Theatre, Blyth
The Phoenix Theatre, Blyth is situated in the heart of Blyth. A former church, the venue was converted with
local authority and lottery money and opened in 1997 thanks to the dedication and vision of local people. It is
managed entirely by volunteers, run by a Board of Trustees and is self sustaining aside from a £2000 grant
from NCC. The venue is well resourced with a 300 seat auditorium, up to date equipment, a studio / rehearsal
space and a bar area. It presents or produces 81 performances a year, selling 16500 tickets. This includes 9
weeks of its own high quality amateur dramatic productions (including a very successful panto and youth
theatre productions), and 11 weeks of 'hires' to operatic groups, local dance schools etc. The Phoenix also
present a programme of 12 professional shows annually including Red Shift, Hull Truck, tribute bands and
events aimed at older people such as VE day music and memories.
The Trustees and small group of volunteers who lovingly keep the venue going describe themselves as tired
and overworked, with no capacity to develop the membership, strategy, audience or plan for succession. They
see the potential for outreach, more community involvement and a wider professional programme, and would
like to 'receive as much attention and funding as other venues in the county: parity for the most heavily
populated area of the county'. They are clear that unless funding or staff time becomes available to them they
are unable to develop the venue and indeed fear that it may suffer due to dwindling volunteer numbers.
APPENDICES: South East Northumberland Arts Development Study, by Sara Robinson
2011
Appendix 7: Smaller venues
VENUE
Doorstep
Pictures
Highlights
Other
Comments
Run by BVAL - great space, low turnout.
1. Ashington
Institute (part of
Ashington Leisure
Centre)
2. Ashington
Children's
Centre
3. Ashington High
School
4. North Seaton
Comm. Centre
Ashington
5. Concordia
Leisure Centre,
Cramlington
6. East Hartford
Institute,
Cramlington
7. Bedlington
Salvation Army
Comm C
8. Hirst Welfare
and the Oval
C.C Bedlington
9. New Hartley
Memorial Hall
10. Seaton Delaval
Arts Centre
11. Seaton Sluice
Community
Centre
12. Holywell First
School
13. Isabella
(not in last 2
years)
Worker there, Derek v gd with young people, potential for
shows for that age group but not taken any shows recently
(want more aimed at teens / hip hop etc), but taken y p to
Highlights events at Pegswood. Hirst Park Middle and
Edinburgh..He wants work involving workshops as well as
shows.
Unloved. Cold. No PA. Lacking good facilities for live events.
Associated only with sports. Have comedy events which sell
out.
Highlights done lots of young people focussed work with
paid staff Ruth Potts but not translated into audiences. Had
to cancel events but Ruth great. Tried doorstep here in
original pilot.
V proactive, strong committee, audiences of 70+ for
Highlights. Mainly older folk. Visual arts workshops weekly
V strong and self sufficient. Run voluntarily. Excellent
facilities. Need help with profile. Mainly am dram plus
bands, theme nights, open mics. 1500 a week for their own
panto. But v small audiences for Highlights and film (15ish)
but they want to build momentum more esp with films.. NTC
recently did show and it sold out (150) - the writer Barry
Stone is from the village. Slight friction with Highlights don't want marketing ideas, and they want more
mainstream shows. Ester worried they may not reach out
enough (they are one group led) - prob need support to do
so.
Highlights did show sold out but artists cancelled due to ill
health. 1 or 2 people who do all the work.
Great audiences of 50+, kids shows in half term. Links with
after school provision. Excellent marketing ideas to tie in like
baking etc. Young worker Michelle Doyle is wonderful but
has recently left. Valley Players am dram perform here.
Headway run many workshops and Youth Drama here
APPENDICES: South East Northumberland Arts Development Study, by Sara Robinson
Community C.
Blyth
14. St Cuthberts
Church Hall,
Blyth
15. Blyth School
Headway run many workshops and Youth Drama here. Tried
Doorstep Pictures but no one came.
16. Newbiggin
Sports Centre
17. Newbiggin Arts
Forum
2011
Venue for
visual arts
only
400 seat school hall - used by Dance Factory and other
dance schools - seen as the only feasible larger performance
venue in SEN.
Used to host RSC years ago - people still talk about it.
Doesn’t attract many now, is not conducive and under
publicised with no driving force behind it. Martime Centre is
hoped venue instead.
Dynamic, led by Eddie. Visual Arts based. Took Highlights
exhibition v well attended. Also host youth dance and many
visual arts groups. Not gd for performing arts. Maritime
Centre instead.