The road closure on 19th June will be a fantastic opportunity, both as a community celebration and as a landmark stage in the on-going campaign to get us back our 'village street'. It will also give is a chance to show those Walcot people how we do things, in a much more genteel way, of course! In addition, there are the entrepreneurial aspects, with up to 2000 people expected to attend. The road will be closed from 8am until 10pm, with the actual event taking place between 1pm and 7.30pm. The theme will be Victory, so we can celebrate both the 60th anniversary of the end of WW2 (linked to the British Legion national programme of celebrations) and our (albeit temporary) victory over the internal combustion engine! I can imagine all our great pubs and bistros taking advantage of the day by putting out any amount of extra tables and perhaps organising special menus or outdoor barbeques, rather like they used to do in Green Street for the food festival. There will be a small stage, with various entertainments including live music with family appeal. If sponsorship is forthcoming, we have a 50-strong women's choir from Chester lined up. They are called The Handbags of Harmony. They specialise in 1940's and 50's numbers and are absolutely amazing. They have always wanted to perform in Bath, and are willing to come for expenses only. Which is approximately £500, if there are any potential sponsors out there? We are negotiating for a large old fashioned carousel to be the centrepiece. Just imagine how imposing it will look placed in the middle of the road, like a symbolic icon! Mind, these things cost money (£1500 to be precise) as do safety barriers (£250), diversion signs (£600), first aid (£150), flags (£400), insurance (£350) and loos (£200). Other things planned include a dog show (costing precisely nothing) and of course, the already famous Widcombe Victory Waltz, when all of you, yes, you too, will dance down the street in your best ball gowns to the strains of Glenn Miller. If our application for additional funds from the Home Front Recall Lottery Fund is successful we will set up a schools project, as many older folk have expressed regret that kids don't know much about the efforts that ordinary citizens made in wartime. This application has the support of Don Foster MP, who has kindly agreed to act as referee. Without the Lottery support, the event will be tailored to the budget raised. Just me standing grinning in the middle of a deserted street, in the worst case scenario!! Of course, the main pleasure will be the thrill of simply being able to promenade in safety, a wonderful foretaste of things to come. The whole thing is a blank canvas, and will only be as good as you make it. If all the above dreams come true, the total cost will be around £8000. Every little bit will help, whether it be a donation from extra bar profits to volunteering to be a steward. This event is designed to put Widcombe well and truly on the map…but funnily enough, the first £200 cash sponsorship has come from a Walcot Street trader. Now, we can't let that happen, can we? Please forward any suggestions, ideas, offers, sponsorship, whatever, to: Ralph Oswick Artistic Director Natural Theatre Company Widcombe Institute Widcombe Hill BA2 6AA ralph@naturaltheatre.co.uk 01225 469131 P.S. Natural Theatre Company is donating my time to this project, and will be supplying a troupe of assorted and appropriate characters. It is rumoured that a certain Mr. Churchill (deceased) will be guest of honour at Lady Margaret's stately home that weekend. News & Features Back |
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