St Donats reprieved

Apr 17 2008 Glamorgan Gazette

THE future looks bright for an arts centre that was set to lose its grant.

Staff and patrons of St Donats Arts Centre feared the worst when the Arts Council of Wales announced it would withdraw annual funding of £45,379 by the end of July this year.

The move put the future of the centre, and 15 jobs, in jeopardy. But the centre appealed – and an independent panel’s decision to support it will now be considered by the Arts Council at its meeting on April 25.

John Clarke, chairman of the centre, said: “We are delighted the independent appeal panel has found in our favour and, therefore, that our Arts Council grant should be restored to us.

“We regard this as a recognition and endorsement of the wide-ranging contribution that St Donats Arts Centre makes to the arts both in Wales and on the wider international stage.

“The support we have received has been heartwarming and we would like to thank our thousands of supporters who have made their feelings known.”

Folk singer Ralph McTell was among those who joined the campaign to save the centre from closure.

Other displays of support included 3,500 postcards sent to the Arts Council urging it to reverse its decision and an online petition of almost 2,000 signatures from people all over the world.

St Donats houses an arts centre and cinema. It holds up to 362 arts events each year, attracting more than 53,000 visitors from Wales and abroad. It is also home to Wales’ only international storytelling festival, Beyond the Border.

The Arts Council and the Vale of Glamorgan Council have funded the centre for more than 20 years to provide an annual programme of events and services.

The centre’s general manager Janet Smith said: “The arts centre has never been more buoyant and dynamic. Last year, we promoted 111 educational and outreach workshops to just under 4,000 children, young people and elderly people in Wales.”

James Emery, managing director of a South Wales business that makes musical instruments, said: “There is, as far as I can tell, nowhere else in South Wales offering such a wide variety of incredible artistes and experiences.”

This Sunday sees a musical legend visit St Donats.

In a career spanning almost 50 years, Georgie Fame is an icon of the British music scene.

With his distinctive voice, Hammond organ skills and mastery of jazz and rhythm and blues, Fame has consistently worked in the highest musical circles and has made his mark all over the world.

So far there have been 20 albums and 14 hit singles including the Number One hits, Yeh Yeh, Getaway and The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde.

Fame has also collaborated with some of music’s most famous names, including Muddy Waters, Gene Vincent, Bill Wyman, Eric Clapton and Van Morrison, Alan Price, and sings regularly with Europe’s finest orchestras and big bands.

Tickets are £21.50. Ring 01446 799100.