Folk hero steps in to help save Vale arts centre

Mar 28 2008 by Staff Reporter, South Wales Echo

FOLK singer Ralph McTell has added his voice to the campaign to save St Donats Arts Centre from closure.

The Vale of Glamorgan centre faces closure in July after the Arts Council of Wales withdrew £45,379 worth of funding.

The folk singer’s support comes days before the centre appeals against the Arts Council’s decision on April 3.

The singer, famous for his Streets Of London hit, said: “This is a wonderful facility and has tremendous support.

“St Donats’ reputation for being at the forefront of the arts in Wales would be severely damaged by any withdrawal of grants.”

Other displays of support for the centre include 3,500 postcards that have been 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, a cinema and holds up to 362 arts events each year.

It is also home to Wales’ only international storytelling festival, Beyond the Border.

Centre 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.”

Welsh Education Minister and Vale of Glamorgan AM Jane Hutt praised the centre’s “commitment to serving areas of acknowledged deprivation”.

Fifteen jobs will be lost if the centre closes and residents believe that the community will suffer.

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.”

The Arts Council’s decision is expected soon after the centre’s appeal on April 3.

echo.newsdesk@mediawales.co.uk