Steve Brine toasts the new Tower Arts Centre and makes an unexpected stage appearance!
This time last year you could have been forgiven for thinking Winchester’s Tower Arts Centre was closing its doors for good.
As we all know, the much loved Romsey Road arts venue went through a change of ownership from Hampshire County Council to Kings School; where it now resides under the management of local promoter, Ben Ward.
This evening (Tuesday 21 October 2008) the team behind the Tower held a reception for those who have supported it and helped it relaunch under its new guise.
Prospective Winchester MP Steve Brine was one of those invited along; “A great amount of heartfelt campaigning went on last year and in the end we were successful in protecting the Tower’s future and most importantly of all, programmes such as the Blue Apple Theatre and TAPAS. It might not be perfect or to everyone’s taste but The Tower is still here serving the community and that was not always going to be the case. The Tower IS a good news story to coin a phrase!
“The Tower @ Kings is not the Tower Arts Centre – it is stronger because it has a long-term future to look forward to. It was really unfortunate the way certain people used the Tower earlier this year for their own political ends which I think showed the worst kind of politician opportunism and certainly didn’t serve the people of Winchester or the Tower’s users. The most important thing is we now have a thriving venue that is part of the overall offering that is Winchester including community programmes such as art classes, an exciting print and design business as well as groups like the Blue Apple and commercial gigs that are selling out on a regular basis.”
While at The Tower, Steve Brine was asked to make a cameo appearance in a special performance (pictured) from the Blue Apple Theatre Group as 'the judge'! Steve says; "I think Blue Apple is brilliant and the Tower as well as the school should be so proud to have it as part of what they offer at the venue."
Guests also saw a performance from the children of TAPAS and took a tour of the venue, meeting many of its users.
The Tower has unveiled its’ Autumn 2008 programme and it looks stronger than ever – just goes to show things are not always what they seem"
You can visit the Tower online www.towerarts.co.uk or find them on Romsey Road in Central Winchester.
You can visit the Blue Apple Theatre Group online at: www.blueappletheatre.com