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Top act to launch arts centre
The curtain will go up at Didcot's long-awaited Cornerstone Arts Centre at the end of next month.
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain will headline the opening night on Friday, August 29.
The eight-strong group have performed at sell-out concerts across the world, collaborating with bands including Madness and Kaiser Chiefs.
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The £7.4m venue is almost complete and South Oxfordshire District Council has already scheduled a full programme of events for the autumn season.
Arts centre manager Emma Dolman said: "We are delighted to have attracted such a famous, fun and inspirational act to perform on our opening night.
"The orchestra will be the first of many top class acts to grace the stage at this brilliant new arts venue, which will offer a fun, inspiring and professional environment for local people to enjoy a wide variety of creative and cultural activities."
On Saturday, August 30, and Sunday, August 31, the launch festival will continue with an outdoor theatre performance telling the story of Didcot's past, present and future.
The centre, at the junction of Orchard Street and Station Road, was designed by architects Ellis Williams, creators of the renowned Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead.
Bill Service, the council's cabinet member for leisure, said: "Local people will have seen Cornerstone taking shape over recent months with its contemporary design and colourful cladding. The council is so proud of the building and what it will mean for Didcot."
Tickets for the opening night cost £17.50. Call 01491 823823.
6:55am Tuesday 8th July 2008
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CommentPosted by: David, wantage on 1:14pm Tue 8 Jul 08
SODC can fund a £7.4million arts centre in Didcot so why couldn't VHDC save the Former St Mary's School purpose-built arts and music blocks that were demolished by the developers, since the purchase cost should have been substantially lower, rather than find a suitable site and build something new, completion time unknown, given the current economic climate. Shame on the councils and developer.
However, I applaud Didcot and hope that its residents in and around will support such facilities, that its neighbours are denied.
SODC can fund a £7.4million arts centre in Didcot so why couldn't VHDC save the Former St Mary's School purpose-built arts and music blocks that were demolished by the developers, since the purchase cost should have been substantially lower, rather than find a suitable site and build something new, completion time unknown, given the current economic climate. Shame on the councils and developer.
However, I applaud Didcot and hope that its residents in and around will support such facilities, that its neighbours are denied.
Posted by: Jerry, France on 1:58pm Tue 8 Jul 08
[quote][bold]David[/bold] wrote:
SODC can fund a £7.4million arts centre in Didcot so why couldn\'t VHDC save the Former St Mary\'s School purpose-built arts and music blocks that were demolished by the developers, since the purchase cost should have been substantially lower, rather than find a suitable site and build something new, completion time unknown, given the current economic climate. Shame on the councils and developer. However, I applaud Didcot and hope that its residents in and around will support such facilities, that its neighbours are denied.[/quote] SODC acquired a windfall sum of many millions when it sold its social housing stock to SOHA, most of that money was raised from housing in Didcot, so it seems only fair that some of that money was reinvested in invigorating Didcot’s Town Centre. Ask what VWHDC did with its windfall.
David wrote:
SODC can fund a £7.4million arts centre in Didcot so why couldn\'t VHDC save the Former St Mary\'s School purpose-built arts and music blocks that were demolished by the developers, since the purchase cost should have been substantially lower, rather than find a suitable site and build something new, completion time unknown, given the current economic climate. Shame on the councils and developer. However, I applaud Didcot and hope that its residents in and around will support such facilities, that its neighbours are denied.
SODC acquired a windfall sum of many millions when it sold its social housing stock to SOHA, most of that money was raised from housing in Didcot, so it seems only fair that some of that money was reinvested in invigorating Didcot’s Town Centre. Ask what VWHDC did with its windfall.
Posted by: Paul, didcot on 12:55pm Fri 11 Jul 08
Rubbish. I certainly will not attend. Is that really all they have to offer?
The building looks like a warehouse on southmead. Pull it down, lets have a nice garden area- so we can ALL enjoy the space.
Rubbish. I certainly will not attend. Is that really all they have to offer?
The building looks like a warehouse on southmead. Pull it down, lets have a nice garden area- so we can ALL enjoy the space.
Posted by: Martine, DIDCOT on 1:01pm Fri 11 Jul 08
Honestly, if that's the BEST they can do as a 'headline act'. Why bother? Might as well keep it shut. I agree, it is an awful building to look at, ready for TV's britains ugliest buildings I think?
Who are they hoping to attract with an act like that? Little old ladies or church goers? Certainly not the majority of Didcot. [bold]What a let down.[/bold]
Honestly, if that's the BEST they can do as a 'headline act'. Why bother? Might as well keep it shut. I agree, it is an awful building to look at, ready for TV's britains ugliest buildings I think?
Who are they hoping to attract with an act like that? Little old ladies or church goers? Certainly not the majority of Didcot.
What a let down. Posted by: Alan, Didcot on 9:17pm Mon 14 Jul 08
You obviously haven't heard them if you think they will attract little old ladies and church goers.
You obviously haven't heard them if you think they will attract little old ladies and church goers.
Posted by: Maria, Didcot on 1:06pm Tue 15 Jul 08
The ukulele orchestra are great fun. I agree with the above post, you must see them before you criticise!I am not a little old lady and would love to see them.
The ukulele orchestra are great fun. I agree with the above post, you must see them before you criticise!I am not a little old lady and would love to see them.
Posted by: philippa, wantage on 9:02pm Wed 16 Jul 08
I agree that St Mary's was a shame.
Sad old moaners commenting on the opening act though... check them out on the web - they are really good and not old giffers music.
See you on the 29th
I agree that St Mary's was a shame.
Sad old moaners commenting on the opening act though... check them out on the web - they are really good and not old giffers music.
See you on the 29th
Posted by: ann rapstoff on 12:02pm Sat 19 Jul 08
I am surprised to hear the negative attitudes of some of the people aresponding to Cornerstone. Didcot has always been a place that has got a bad press and its about time it got some regeneration money. It doesn't come without cost with the future being many more houses and lots more traffic and strain on the infrastructure.
But at last Didcot is being pulled into the 21st century by a building to be proud of, a building designed by the architects that were involved in the Baltic in Newcastle, what about that then, wow!
As for the Ukele Orchestra, a little education is needed to realise we are now living in a post modern society where everything goes the ukele has made a comeback and is strong in many areas of contemporary society here is someone I know who is touring with her ukele http://www.myspace.c
om/eilidhceilidh
and learn more about the subversive ukele orchestra here http://www.ukuleleor
chestra.com/main/Sho
wPage.aspx?PageID=1&
SessionKey=
old ladies and church goers all welcome plus all sections of the community I don't care just get out there and lean about the arts and culture and enjoy
best wishes and see ya there Ann Rapstoff
I am surprised to hear the negative attitudes of some of the people aresponding to Cornerstone. Didcot has always been a place that has got a bad press and its about time it got some regeneration money. It doesn't come without cost with the future being many more houses and lots more traffic and strain on the infrastructure.
But at last Didcot is being pulled into the 21st century by a building to be proud of, a building designed by the architects that were involved in the Baltic in Newcastle, what about that then, wow!
As for the Ukele Orchestra, a little education is needed to realise we are now living in a post modern society where everything goes the ukele has made a comeback and is strong in many areas of contemporary society here is someone I know who is touring with her ukele http://www.myspace.c
om/eilidhceilidh
and learn more about the subversive ukele orchestra here http://www.ukuleleor
chestra.com/main/Sho
wPage.aspx?PageID=1&
SessionKey=
old ladies and church goers all welcome plus all sections of the community I don't care just get out there and lean about the arts and culture and enjoy
best wishes and see ya there Ann Rapstoff
Posted by: Paul of Thame, Thame on 5:43pm Mon 28 Jul 08
Ukelele Orchestra are great fun and will be enjoyed by all, even if they might be consudered high brow by some Didcot Residents, and what a building, it'll brighten up anyones life, really enhances Didcot, just hope the locals appreciate and look after it after all the hard work the building team have put into it.
Make sure you get a ticket its your Arts Centre[quote]quote[/quote] [quote]quote[/quote]
Ukelele Orchestra are great fun and will be enjoyed by all, even if they might be consudered high brow by some Didcot Residents, and what a building, it'll brighten up anyones life, really enhances Didcot, just hope the locals appreciate and look after it after all the hard work the building team have put into it.
Make sure you get a ticket its your Arts Centre
quote
quote
Posted by: Uke Lover, The World on 10:52am Sat 2 Aug 08
I'm disappointed by some of the comments about the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain; I suppose there will always be people who let predjudice rule their lives. I first saw the Ukes in Winchester a while back and that was the best evening's entertainment I've ever had. I'm a firm believer in the old adage that there are two types of music: good and bad. Believe me, this is good. I hope I can still get tickets...
I'm disappointed by some of the comments about the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain; I suppose there will always be people who let predjudice rule their lives. I first saw the Ukes in Winchester a while back and that was the best evening's entertainment I've ever had. I'm a firm believer in the old adage that there are two types of music: good and bad. Believe me, this is good. I hope I can still get tickets...
Posted by: Les Wild, Poole on 12:47pm Tue 5 Aug 08
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain are a group of very talented musicians at the top of their art. They breath new life into all the songs and tunes they play. I've seen them twice in the last two years and would travel a long way to see them perform..brilliant act..get out there and see and hear them play.
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain are a group of very talented musicians at the top of their art. They breath new life into all the songs and tunes they play. I've seen them twice in the last two years and would travel a long way to see them perform..brilliant act..get out there and see and hear them play.
Posted by: John Buchan, Didcot on 1:10pm Wed 13 Aug 08
Thanks for your patronising advice,Paul of Thame. I feel as a resident I am just capable of "looking after" an Arts Centre building.
Thanks for your patronising advice,Paul of Thame. I feel as a resident I am just capable of "looking after" an Arts Centre building.
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