REDGRAVE ACTION GROUP
the campaigning arm of the New Farnham Repertory Company
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| Letters to the Farnham Herald |
| We reproduce on this page a selection of letters written to the Herald on the subject of the Redgrave Theatre and the East Street redevelopment plans.
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Click below for letters published in
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February 2004
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Hannah Williams, publicity coordinator, Redgrave Action Group.
Sir, - I have spent many a happy half-hour having a coffee in the delightful Lion and Lamb Yard. Last summer I took my brother and sister-in-law there for lunch; they were totally enchanted by it all - this is what they had imagined Farnham would be like. I dare say when the East Street redevelopment is complete they will want to visit the new shops and cafés in the new town square. In last week's Farnham Herald there was an almost lyrical description of the Town Square, accompanied by an artist's impression. We were reminded of the Cobbett Clock and the restored Brightwell House. No one mentioned that on one side would be a huge Sainsbury's and, surprise, surprise, they forgot to mention that the Town Square would be on the graveyard of the Redgrave Theatre. - maybe it should be called The Red Grave Square! Just think about it, we could be sitting having coffee on the very spot where the famous actor, Sir Michael Redgrave, buried his time capsule! - or maybe on the stage area where some of our finest actors have trodden the boards! It gives me the shivers, even thinking about it and I always thought architects were supposed to be imaginative, artistic people! Maybe they would like to put the bust of Sir Michael (currently in the Farnham Museum) under the Cobbett Clock and then the two distinguished gentlemen could support each other! William Cobbett loved passionately the English countryside and felt deep sympathy for ordinary people who were suffering because of the mindless decisions of the bosses. Sir Michael Redgrave loved everything about the English language and the works of the great English bards. What would they make of this square that will have been created out of the ashes of Farnham's unique cultural heritage? Believe me, they will be turning in their graves!
Hannah Williams, Director, New Farnham Repertory Company
This letter first appeared in the Farnham Herald on 5 March 2004.
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April 2004
Hannah Williams, publicity coordinator, Redgrave Action Group.
Sir,
Saturday, June 12th
2004 is the 30th Anniversary of the Royal Gala Opening of the
Redgrave Theatre.
“Two households both alike in dignity”
and includes the immortal words:
“ A pair of star-cross’d lovers”
- Absolutely magical! A very poignant moment in Farnham’s history!
It would be unthinkable if the New Farnham Repertory Company, which has worked tirelessly over the last five years to champion the cause of retaining The Redgrave, did not mark this day in some special way.
After all, the NRFC has organised petitions, written hundreds of letters, arranged yellow ribbon days, held endless, endless meetings, initiated numerous fund-raising events – AND with the minimum of resources produced three amazing seasons of plays, either in the open-air or in a tent! How much easier it would have been if we had had a proper theatre!
However, undaunted we will soon be producing two more brilliant plays: “Charlie’s Aunt” will be performed outside The Redgrave in the NRFC marquee ( generously donated), and the truly beautiful play so aptly named "Our Town" will be performed in an actual building, generously offered – the magnificent St Andrew’s Church. Oh, the joys of having a roof over our heads and our actors not having to compete with a wedding disco or a thunderstorm!
The Day of Action Still, we march on! At 12 noon on June 12th, the Redgrave Action Group, which is the campaigning arm of the NFRC, will organise a symbolic march around the Redgrave. We will ring the theatre with garlands of flowers to remind everyone that the Redgrave could become the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the new development and once again be a place that nurtures creativity and young talent and cherishes our unique theatrical heritage.
What else you can do We will be calling on friends and supporters to mark June 12th by contacting personally all 57 Waverley Borough Councillors. Please telephone, fax, email, send text messages, send postcards etc with the message:-
Say ‘No’ to demolition and ‘Yes’ to Rejuvenation
and do this as close as possible to the anniversary date of June 12th. We will not hand up the Redgrave to the Waverley bulldozers! The people of Farnham built and paid for their theatre and they want it back!
Should you wish to help in any way please contact:
Hannah Williams, Publicity Coordinator for June 12th Tel. 01256 322529 Fax 01256 333991
Ian Mullins, Chairman NFRC: 01252 792813
David Wylde, Chairman R.A.G.: 01252 722193
You can also keep up to date with the campaign, this season’s productions, and a wealth of other information by visiting our regularly-updated website: www.redgravefarnham.co.uk
Hannah Williams Redgrave Action Group This letter first appeared in the Farnham Herald on 16 April 2004
Sir The analysis of the next public consultation exercise on east Street, however conducted, will not leave more than a couple of weeks for the redrawing of Master Plan III if it is to go to Waverley’s executive on June 1. There is an intention to drive the project through with minimum changes and only a token gesture towards public opinion.
However, there may be a hitch for this fast-track train: the Redgrave Theatre. Should the request for listing status be granted the Secretary of State would be very unlikely to look favourably on a subsequent request to demolish it shortly afterwards.
Even without the independent listing of the modern theatre building the Redgrave is already protected under the grade II listing of Brightwell House. The case I have presented to the DCMS (Department of Culture Media and Sport) would also stand as the basis for a solid objection to any planning application which might require its demolition.
Last week I met representatives from the developers, Crest Nicholson, and they repeated to me what they have said before: that they would and could include the Redgrave in a new master plan, even though it would mean a new concept for the East Street site. All they need is for Waverley to ask them to do it. They would be anxious to improve the exterior of the theatre and to incorporate it sensitively into the plan.
There is a now gathering momentum for the retention of the Redgrave Theatre and this may literally change the landscape of the whole East Street project. The Redgrave Theatre, refurbished as a working theatre on the inside and improved on the outside, could be an asset not just for the Borough but for the whole region. There are opportunities for creative thinking here, both architecturally and for ways to ensure that the theatre would have a viable future. Minds are already focusing on this exciting challenge.
I would urge all supporters of the Redgrave to ensure that their views are registered with Waverley and the developers in the public consultation process.
Mrs Anne Cooper, Nutshell Lane, Upper Hale.
This letter appeared in the Farnham Herald on 2 April 2004
Anne Cooper, Farnham resident who is working to get the Redgrave Theatre listed.
Sir, The wording of questions in the forthcoming East Street public consultations survey will be critical to the responses received. For example, the latest Farnham News put out by the local Conservatives contains a survey on the East Street proposals. In it there are two questions that refer to the scrapping of the East Street development if the Redgrave theatre were to be kept. This is either ill-informed or disingenuous as the developers have told me that they would be able to keep the Redgrave in a new master plan. They are obviously not going to walk away over this issue.
Request for supporters to act Crest Nicholson have invited campaigners for the Redgrave to write to them direct, copying to Waverley officers and the portfolio holder, asking for questions on the Regrave to be included in their joint survey.
My own letter to Crest Nicholson requests that any questions on the Redgrave should be in the context of it as part of community entertainment complex/centre. Such a centre would offer cinema, theatre, music, lecture and conference space, etc.. The survey questions should be along the following lines:
Ideas from the public on the East Street plans are being fed to councillors who then pass them on to the officers at Waverley. After agreement they are then put to the developers - who are paying for the whole exercise - and only then are questions decided upon. Let us hope that all parties will allow democracy to survive this process. Mrs Anne Cooper Nutshell Lane Upper Hale
This letter first appeared in the Farnham Herald on 16 April 2004.
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In a
letter to the Farnham Herald Ann Cooper explains the
encouraging signs she has detected in the stance of
the East Street developer, Crest Nicholson. .JPG)
| May 2004 |