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Progress

Meeting reports and general progress
MARCH | APRIL 2004

  • Culturegen give full backing to sbase and issue draft proposals now being discussed
  • Date set May 21st for a meeting with local Social Enterprise representative.
  • In the light of recent press reports of SRB funding for workspace on local land fill site a letter was sent to P Flaherty, head of Regeneration Stafford Borough Council, with copies to Mrs Dalgarno, M Smith, D Rawlings & D Pinnock, restating the sbase campaign and our willingness to share information should they so wish.
  • Zippa communications forwarded the idea of this web site becoming a virtual shop with esales for interested artists, replicating a real sbase building. Clarity over Social Enterprise trading status to be sought initial. Some artists have already agreed in principle to this idea.
  • It has been agreed to no longer hold First Tuesday meetings. The steering group will now meet privately with the intention of "getting things done" as opposed to talking. Formal meetings will now be arranged quarterly for everyone to attend. Joxer Brady's Pub however will continue the First Tuesday meeting as an Artist Network Evening. Sbase members will be there to answer any queries anyone has.
  • It has been agreed to further enlarge the steering group. Anyone who wishes to be involved in any way please contact us. We need more activists!
  • Membership subscription idea again held until the implications of the social enterprise model are fully explored.
  • Letter received from the Friends of the Windmill stating that they do not wish to be part of sbase. This seems to be the general consensus of all heritage groups. We are now agreed to drop the "Heritage" part of the title, hence sbase is now a campaign for an Arts and Creative Industries Centre

FEBRUARY 2004
Sixth First Tuesday in Joxer Brady's Pub, Market Sq., Stafford.

  • Excellent turn out with at least three new members
  • Membership Subscriptions £5 may be required to cover expenses.SDAC to act as bankers. Aspoects of this will be reported back at the next meeting.
  • Arrange visits to Lighthouse Wolverhampton, Norwich Arts Centre, Brewhouse Burton on Trent or similar as soon as possible
  • Following attendance at the Taking Action Fund Raising Seminar it would appear that the New Socail Enterprise schemes are better suited as a funding route for sbase. In particular the CICS (COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANIES) route. A meeting with our local Social Enterprise officer (with whom initail introductions have already been established) would be sort quickly. http://www.dti.gov.uk/cics/
  • In view of the aboveCICS, it was suggested we communicate with possible buy in partners such as Virgin Records, Kerrang and locally Signal Radio. We will also approach other arts businesses. Other opportunities welcome should you know of any.
  • Approach Arts West Midlands to find out who might be looking for re-location.
  • It was put forward that in order to elevate our public profile we would stage a Creative Event - take over a building for a week-end for artists etc to show their talents. A town centre venue would be required for a weekend.
  • D Callaghan (SBC) reported on progress made since sbase formally approached Culturegen for help.
    Formal written report will follow.
  • In general discussion and it was agreed to concentrate our efforts and look at one building and plot of land. One of each has been identifies and further information will be investigated.

JANUARY 2004
Fifth First Tuesday in Joxer Brady's Pub, Market Sq., Stafford.

  • Good turn out with more new members -including
  • Paul Freeman, professional PR Officer, has offered to help with the PR of sbase.
  • Sbase immediate 2004 requirements are
    funding (to cover basic running costs)
    focus (aim at a specific building and relevant funding)

General agreement that the sbase campaign needed to step up a gear, define exactly what it wants and to start the real process of obtaining its goal. Immediate reactions would be;

  • Two members of the steering committee are to attend the Taking Action 2004 at Britannia Stadium on Jan 14th to explore funding opportunities since the Queen's speech and to introduce the sbase campaign to the funding personnel.
  • Decision to "sharpen" the sbase brand by simplifying and clarifying its definition. Change the campaign to "Stafford Arts & Creative Center" or simply "Stafford Arts Center". Comments invited from those not in attendance on this.
  • A decision to focus on buildings and plots freehold, and to further enquiries on two such possibilities.
  • Culturegen would be approached with the view of producing Business plans.
  • Decision to produce architects draft drawing to illustrate what the building could ultimately look like and incorporate based on one identified site.

January

  • Two Steering group member attended Taking Action 2004 (Funding workshops and exhibition) atBritannia Stadium Stoke courtesy of Shepherd Gilmour.
  • sbase representation at the STOP campaign ( Save the Oval ) with small presentation.
  • Steering Group met with Culturegen to discuss possible aid and advice

DECEMBER 2003
Fourth FIRST TUESDAY sbase open meeting on Dec 2nd 2003, in the Bar/Cafe within the Gatehouse Theatre Stafford.

  • Twenty Two people attended
  • Apologises from more than Twenty Two
  • Questionnaires now available for completion, Practioners for work space, and arts supporters
  • Due to costs we agreed to re arrange meetings to cost free environments, consequently we decided to meet in pubs from now on unless we see the need a formal meeting.
  • Noted that the Queens Speech included Social Enterprise Funding Projects, this could be more than applicable to sbase
  • Proposed to ask Paul Freeman to be sbase PR Person
  • Announced funding event at Stafford Rangers on Dec 27th

December

  • Two places booked for Taking Action 2004 (Jan 14th @ The Britannia Stadium Stoke).
  • £147 raised for sbase at SRFC event on Dec 27th. Special thanks to ANTONY RASCAL, PAUL MATTHEWS and GRAHAM STUART. We are especially grateful to Stafford Rangers Regulars who supported the event and hepled make it worthwhile.

 

NOVEMBER 2003
Third FIRST TUESDAY sbase open meeting on Nov4 th 2003, in the Churchill Suite within the Gatehouse Theatre Stafford.

  • Fourteen people attended
  • Apologises from Steve Cartwright, Chris Baron, Mike Smith, Simon Greatbatch, Dawn Robertson, Mark Winnington, Roy Dart and Rosemary Cripps.
  • General report update
  • Marketing Group to change name to Fundraising Group
  • Full questionnaire timetable established
  • Floor discussion on how sbase may infringe on established businesses in terms of property let values. Subsidised trading.
  • Discussion on finding a cheaper if not free opportunity for the First Tuesday meetings.

November 03

  • Presentation made to SDAC at their monthly meeting
  • Meeting with SDVS to identify any posible duplication of interests and to clearly define what each organisation needs and requiresfrom a building. Agreement to back one another in any applications for any building.
  • Group meeting to fomalise questionnaires

 

OCTOBER 2003
Second FIRST TUESDAY sbase open meeting on Oct 7th 2003, in the Churchill Suite within the Gatehouse Theatre Stafford.

  • Apologises from J Delgarno, M Smith and C Baron (SB Councillors), C Bridgewood (Culturegen) and Peter Ogrodnik of Stafford University
  • Twenty Seven people attended.
  • Danny Callaghan, Arts Development Officer SBC, pledged support and help
  • General report update from Jim Wheeler and Jane Cannell (see Sept 03)
  • Mick Askey outlined the proposed business planning process commencing with a detailed needs analysis with questionnaires to be sent out in December to all interested parties. Mick emphasized that ownership of the business plan is for everyone and not just the steering committee and that any views should be submitted via the sbase website.
  • Steve Cartwright introduced three working groups.
  1. Terms of reference/Business Plan, lead by Jane Cannell and Mick Askey the following signed up to help-Paul Challacombe
  2. Marketing, led by Jim Wheeler the following signed up to help-Paul Challacombe, Celeste Wood, Anthony Rascal (Band), Jamie Wheeler, Julia Cuff, Helen Parry, Les Hewitt, Tamar Eccleston.
  3. Premises/Requirements led by Steve Cartwright the following signed up to help- Helen Parry, Gerry Edwards, Les Hewitt, Carl Andrews.
  • Notification to the group of the acceptance of Tesco Planning Application . With regards to the "Goods Shed", a building on the site earmarked for community use, well as yet no detail, as far as we are aware no-one has been approached. SDAC were approached last year and consequently submitted a letter. Ultimately though another opportunity arises, in the Tesco building being vacated. Sbase will submit a letter to SBC about this.
  • Mr Steve Cripps of SBC saw no clash of interest between sbase and the SDVS campaign for community buildings. Both sets of requirements were quite separate.
  • The Steering Group proposed an organised trip to The Custard Factory.

    October 03

  • Marketing Group met
    · Treasurer appointed and small account set up.
    · Stafford Rangers booked for a sbase fund raising night on Dec 27th Saturday
    · 1000 badges ordered and received
    · 5000 sbase leaflets printed and ready to distribute throughout the borough.
    · Community Chest bid sought in order to maintain sbase core costs
    · The whole group warmed to the idea of a sbase festival during festival week 2004.
  • Premise Group met
    . Questionnaire formulated

 

SEPTEMBER 2003 sbase launched 1.9.03
First FIRST TUESDAY sbase open meeting on Sept 2nd 2003, in the Old Courtroom within the ShireHall Gallery Stafford

  • Twenty one people attended. No names taken.
  • Mick Askey (background banking and local drummer) confirmed he would like to assist with the Business Planning operation.
  • Roy Dart (SDVS) expressed concern about a clash of interests between the SDVS campaign for community space and sbase. J Wheeler arranged meetings to clarify this point.
  • Announced that the steering group had viewed Chrisma club and discussed sale price with owner.
  • Announced launch of website and online ability to join our database of supporters.
  • Agreed to have leaflets with a join application form printed
  • Zippa Communications offered to host the sbase website free of charge

     

    September 03

  • Sbase press release. Newsletter
  • sbase announced to MP's, Councillors both SBC and CC, Officers and known creative practitioners by email. Letters sent to those not on electronic mail.
  • Meeting with Mick Askey and it was decided that Mick would take control of the Business Planning and join the steering group
  • Letter sent to the secretary of Stafford Borough heritage group requesting representation from them
  • Meetings held with Roy Dart and clarification of both sbase and sdvs campaigns resolved with a view to regular updates and a joint approach.
  • Steering group viewed the Reynolds complex and established a dialogue with Mr Reynolds, who proved very supportive. More meetings sought.
  • Email of support from D Kidney MP and Mrs Delgarno (conservative leader) and other councillors.
  • The steering group attended the Staffordshire Creative Forum.
  • Prof. Peter Ogrodnik of Stafford University expressed his support for the campaign

 

 

 

 
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