Shocks, Jokes, Closures, and some Great music into Easter

Just down, or is it up, the road from Rotherham in Bradford something remarkable happened this week.

I’ve been about to witness some of the classic by-election results where huge majorities have been turned over and an outsider has won by a very narrow margin, normally it being a Liberal or Lib Dem as they are now, or the occasional major Labour victory over a Tory, but I don’t think I’ve seen a Party that one would describe as being in the margin of British Politics gain a victory of the sort that George Galloway achieved for Respect.

To win with 56% of the vote, gaining a majority of 10,000 in Constituency viewed as a safe Labour seat, and for our Media not to have seen this coming was quite simply outstanding. 

The by-election was widely assumed to be a Labour shoe in.  The Condems having not enjoyed their best week since coming to power and Labour 10% ahead in the polls.  Respect? 

What’s more, the man himself, George Galloway was thought to have disappeared into that big hole marked Political Oblivion, following his narrow defeat in Tower Hamlets and his poor impersonation of a cat on Celebrity Big Brother.

George has been pilloried by the Media, expelled from the Labour Party for daring to challenge Blair and negotiate rather than use bombs.  But that’s my take on the man; others viewed him as a traitor, a self-publicist, or a complete and utter nutter.  He’s one of those men who can divide opinion simply by being in a room, even amongst the left.

And yet, he somehow managed to form a connection with the people of Bradford that the traditional big guns of our Political system clearly could not make. 

As the main Party spokesmen turned to character assignation, making a mockery of the electorate’s decision, it was Galloway travelling around in the open top bus celebrating one of the most remarkable by-election victories in living memory.

So here’s my take on what happened.  The alienation of young people from mainstream politics; the main Parties all choosing to sell the same glum story of “austerity”; the total Bankruptcy of ideas and positive policy among the main Parties; and quite simply the “grey suited” approach to representing the people; all leading to a mass tide turning feeling to kick the main Parties in the teeth.

I met George Galloway a few years ago, just before he went through all the muck that came his way for daring to talk to Saddam.  I found him principled and pragmatic, with a sharp sense of humour and fun; certainly not a grey suited political robot.  Even when he went off on his Respect crusade reading their Web Page you can see the words of man of the people, a real person, with his ideas perhaps not being consistent, but certainly reflecting views expressed on the workplace floor every day. 

We’ll wait to see just how he delivers in Bradford and whether or not Respect can start to establish itself as a realistic alternative to the main stream Parties.

Which brings me to this week’s Banners High Festival developments.  To be honest it’s been rather quiet this week as we work really hard to bring some real big hitting speakers to the event, who knows, we might even be able to twist the arm of George Galloway.   Watch this space.

Tickets for the event are beginning to sell £10 for the whole day and £5 for each of the Afternoon or Evening events if bought in advance.  You can book on line HERE Concessions are available for the unwaged.

There’s a great deal for a day ticket and a T Shirt.

 

Poets – we would love to have any Protest Poems you may have written for inclusion in the Brochure that is being produced for the Festival.  Already Karen Gilmore has produced an amazing cover for the publication.  There will be a limited print run of around 250 copies, so all material will get a wide readership.

We have made some progress though with the development of Rotherham Art Events.  This week we had a really useful and interesting session with “Together For Regeneration”, which has helped decide on the type of not for profit organisation we are to become.  We’ve decided to go down the Social Enterprise route, with maybe the mid-term option of seeking Charitable status.

So behind the scenes we move forward.  Expect a dedicated Web Site very soon. 

It will be sometime before we are fully establishes, but we hope to have enough in place to move forward on Funding applications within a couple of weeks or so.

Yes, that dreadful word “money” or “funding”.  In the immediacy we are totally reliant on income from advance ticket sales for Banners High, however, we’ll soon publish advertising rates, and Sponsorship opportunities for the entire programme Festival Events planned.

We still need Volunteers to come forward to help and of course to fill the really important role of Commercial Fund Raiser, (experience not important; commitment, enthusiasm and that magic personality is). 

Slamfest is building nicely.  There’s some important meetings with the Council after Easter, but we can say that we’ve added a major Rock event at the Trades Club for Friday 27^th July.  Yes, I know that clashes with the Myke Barritt Trust Birthday Bash, but assuming that takes place in The Bridge we hope people will be able to move between events.

Almost every day a script appears in my Inbox for the FOF Theatre Company, my thanks to you writers for that.  I’d love to have a bit more poetry though for the Brochures / programmes.

And negotiations on new and exciting venues for the ROAF Fringe Festival are going well. 

ROY BLACKMAN (you can buy his CD HERE) is putting together a Theatre Company to perform two works that he has written while locked away during the winter.  Anyone who would like to be involved should contact Roy direct and how to do this can be found on his Web Page HERE

Watch this space for the Official CD Launch Party very soon. 

Sad news this week reached us that the Staithes Monthly Sunday afternoon session has come to an end.  The July Festival has also had to move and you can find the details on the Festival page HERE

On the up side I’m told that the first Folk21 Regional Day was a great success.  Would have loved to have been there myself but transport etc. made it impossible.  However, my spies told that there were some frank exchanges of views about the future of Folk Clubs during the afternoon discussion groups which is very healthy, and that the evening Concert was to kill for.  Well done to Jacey and Pete for putting the event together, and not without a bit of hassle.   

More good news is that the walk through at the Imperial Building on Corporation Street has been much improved as people have been visiting the “One Exhibition”.  If you’ve not yet paid a visit to this imaginative use of space then pop along when you’re next in Town.  There is some amazing creative work, so pop along, you’ve got to the end of the week to view this Exhibition. 

This coming week.   The Masher is being let out of one asylum, Rawmarsh, to play at another well-known and bigger Establishment, Barnsley!!  And he may be on his own as John Statter has gone down injured, more of that later, and all the roadies have driven hundreds of miles simply to avoid this Gig.  

I will not be put off and so will be heading off to give my usual Master Class in neat guitar work and simply amazing singing.   It’s rare opportunity, so head off to The Trades Club, Racecourse Road, Barnsley for a night out you will never forget at the Barnsley Folk Club.  Of course, there will also be some excellent Club regulars who will keep The Masher very much in his place.

Tuesday and Rotherham Against The Cuts will be meeting at The Bridge in Rotherham from around 7:30pm and of course most importantly The Red Lion in Braithwell will be hosting one of the best open session Clubs in the area.

The “bad news”; that’s what John put in his Email, is that John has a medical note that prevents him playing his instruments………..   some might describe this news in another way, but I like to be accurate when quoting News Stories.  So to stop John from singing please pack the Red Lion out allowing him to rest for the night.  Please……………..  yes, that’s a desperate please!!

Thursday over at Crookes Folk Club, Mark Hearne, the more handsome of the Hearne Brothers, (free pint coming my way), will be performing.  You never know what you’re going to get with Mark, but you can be sure of an entertaining set.   You can find the Crookes Club programme HERE

But Hillsborough Folk 2 and 4 Tuesday of month is no more.  Pete tells me that he is looking for a new venue and will shout loud and clear once it has been found.  Really it’s an excuse for a big Pub Crawl.

Good Friday see’s the monthly regulars, ROMP at the Bridge, which if you’ve not already experienced what is a super night, then you should! While over in the City, Play On features at The Rutland.  Just a warning, it’s a Bank Holiday and Public Transport might be difficult.

I’d also remind you about the Miniatures Exhibition going on at the Cupola Gallery in Hillsborough, which apparently is causing great interest in the Steel City.  Details HERE

A reminder you can keep up to date with everything going on this next week and into the Easter break on our Diary page HERE, and if your event isn’t listed please contact us HERE and we’ll get it on no later than the very next day.  Use the same link for any corrections to the listings.

And that’s it for this week.  Whatever you are doing, have a fantastic time, support local musicians and events and KEEP IT LIVE.