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Saturday 18th February, Cllr. Wakefield told 2 people separately that the BCCA was to be demolished in the next week or two in advance of planning permission being granted for 10 houses being built. Copies of statements made by both these people and Cllr. Wakefield’s can now be seen on our Facebook page Boscombe Arts. Shocked, we checked this out with the sources involved and once confirmed, we posted the news on Facebook. Monday morning we found a Direct Action group, Occupy, had done just that…occupied the building. We visited immediately and spoke to a number of the people occupying the building. They assured us they intended to preserve the building from demolition and to return it to the community once they were reassured that a legal document ensured this was so. Their first request was for cleaning equipment to clean up inside. They stated they wanted the community to see inside the building again and to use it for its intended purpose….they were not squatting. We spoke to residents and local traders…they are “delighted the building has been occupied” and hope the Council will at last listen to their pleas to have it reopened. As you all know, our business plan does not rely on funding to run it…we need no funds from the Council…we do need funds to refurbish it …but already trades such as builders, electricians, and so on are coming forward and offering their free help and assistance. The Direct Action group are encouraging the community to use the building Residents, children and artists of all kinds have been going into the building, looking around and performing, rehearsing and exhibiting….its all free for all the community. On Saturday, Creative Kids did an arts events outside the building and had a huge response with parents and children joining in and having so much fun. An electric supply is on in the building, which the Occupy group have registered and are paying for. There is no running water, so residents are bringing in water to them each day…they take in bottles of water and leave with empty ones to refill. Residents and local businesses are also supplying food, warm blankets, heaters and camp beds. The Direct Action group are not squatters, they all have homes and families and most are in paid work too….they are doing this because they believe the BCCA should be reopened and the community should be listened to. Businesses were dying in Boscombe long before the economic downturn; businesses have been denied a tourist attraction; artist have been denied affordable workshop, exhibition and performance space; and residents have been denied all the inspiration and community succour the BCCA has and could provide again. Several crews of film-makers have been documenting all of this; some has been posted on Youtube already, with more to come. The support to stop the demolition and reinstate the building as a community and art centre is immense and growing. National interest is now being taken up, with artists and artists’ groups contacting and asking how they can help. A local G.P., Dr. Ni’Man has requested from the Chief Executive, Pam Donnellan and Cllr. Chris Wakefield how much the Council want for the BCCA site, so medical doctors can provide a small health awareness centre, whilst maintaining the community and arts facilities. Bob Boulton, Chair of Bournemouth 2026 has responded by stating that they will consider. Boscombe is the Most deprived area in the entire South West of England, the residents and traders want and need it reopened as an impetuous to bring tourists to Boscombe, jobs to Boscombe and as a place of hope and aspirations. |
