Why is "world-class Stratford-upon-Avon" such a dump? - Page 4

Mari · 26-02-2008, 03:50 PM

I came across this old news from the Guardian.uk

The Royal Shakespeare Company's controversial plan to demolish its Stratford playhouse and build a £100m riverside "theatre village" was unanimously approved by a committee of MPs yesterday, giving a much needed boost to the beleaguered artistic director, Adrian Noble.
Ignoring criticism by traditionalists - among them Prince Charles who has warned against a "modern and horrible" new development - MPs on the media and culture select committee, led by Gerald Kaufman, said change was necessary. They said the 70-year-old grade II listed Royal Shakespeare Theatre offered "neanderthal conditions" unable to do Shakespeare justice.

The committee found the art deco venue would no longer comply with statutory requirements, such as disabled access and safety rules, by 2004.

MPs said they understood the RSC's complaints that the building was unsafe, that those with cheaper tickets had appalling views and that provisions for disabled theatregoers were inadequate.

Plans for the new complex will be revealed this summer and will include a theatre, a venue to replace the Other Place, and various exhibitions and educational initiatives as part of a themed village that will build on the three million visitors to Stratford each year. Only 600,000 of those visitors buy tickets to RSC plays and the company feels more needs to be done to attract them in "daylight hours".

Veteran actor Sir Michael Gambon believes the changes are unnecessary and many others have shuddered at the idea of a Warwickshire "Shakespeareland", something the RSC assured critics it had no plans for.

At least Prince Charles is on our side.

Lex · 27-02-2008, 05:26 AM

There seems to be little point in protesting on issues, as the local councils just ignore what's being said (unless, of course, what people say agrees with what the council says). The words 'vested interests' comes to mind.
One occasion which runs contrary to this is SDC's opposition o the new footbridge, a stance which I support (and most Stratfordians too, I'd imagine!) Unfortunately, WCC seem to have hijacked the project and are pushing it through on the quiet. They are/have been holding a second 'consulataion' with selected local groups, which - surprise, surprise - are supportive of the bridge.

David1976 · 29-04-2008, 10:10 PM

I think you people are far too critical. I moved to Stratford in 2006 and quite honestly, I am happier here than I have been for years. I think you take a lot of good points about Stratford for granted.

We have regular buses to many towns and villages (including Coventry and Birmingham) and rail routes to London. The north of Stratford is really developing with new shopping facilities. The May Bird centre is being improved and there are new shops planned for the area in the new housing development by Tesco.

I read in on of the posts that Leamington Spa was being praised. Well, Leamington is worse than Stratford. I'd much rather live in Stratford than anywhere else.

David
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Dexter · 01-05-2008, 11:11 AM

With all respect David..you say you moved here in 2006..thats fine..You chose to move to a town with literally hundreds of new houses littered on newly built housing estates. You chose to move to a town with a massively expanding population. You chose to move to a town with huge out of town retail complexes being sprung up...Thats fine. I moved here 18 years ago because I WANTED to live in a small market town with a villagey feel to it which had a sense of local community and thats what I got

The main gripe we have is that this has been literally torn away from us and certainly the democratic wishes of those of us living here have been ignored.

Yes Stratford is a nice place compared to others, but I can assure you NOT as nice as it was..And before you think i'm some OAP that doesn't want any change, i'm far from that not even 45 yet!!!

Lex · 02-06-2008, 09:49 AM

It's only on returning to Stratford after several months away, have I realised how tatty the town is getting - cracked pavements, dirty streets, crowded, grass verges that haven't been mowed for months (apart from the odd one where a local resident has had enough & done it him/herself), etc. etc. etc...
I'm starting to come round to thinking World Class Stratford is a good idea, as long as it's well thought out & not just the piecemeal effort it seems to be so far. When is work proper going to start on WCS anyway; or has all the money been spent on thinking about it?
Another thing; Stratford really IS a very expensive place. I saw some British beer for sale in New Zealand, and it wasn't too much more expensive than buying it in a shop in Stratford - only about £1.20 more, not bad considering it had been transported half way around the world!!

Dexter · 02-06-2008, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lex

It's only on returning to Stratford after several months away, have I realised how tatty the town is getting - cracked pavements, dirty streets, crowded, grass verges that haven't been mowed for months (apart from the odd one where a local resident has had enough & done it him/herself), etc. etc. etc...
I'm starting to come round to thinking World Class Stratford is a good idea, as long as it's well thought out & not just the piecemeal effort it seems to be so far. When is work proper going to start on WCS anyway; or has all the money been spent on thinking about it?
Another thing; Stratford really IS a very expensive place. I saw some British beer for sale in New Zealand, and it wasn't too much more expensive than buying it in a shop in Stratford - only about £1.20 more, not bad considering it had been transported half way around the world!!

Have you not noticed the new bicycle racks in Bridge street unveiled to much fanfair..The first tangeable results of WCS!

Lex · 03-06-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dexter

Have you not noticed the new bicycle racks in Bridge street unveiled to much fanfair..The first tangeable results of WCS!

Yes, I've spotted those. To me, they look like rows of safety pins that have been half buried in the street. Pretty good street art; shame people keep chaning their bikes to them.

25-06-2008, 07:22 AM

The Council and the World Class committee have yet to prove to residents and visitors that they understand what makes Stratford 'Stratford'. They seem to think that turning Stratford into a clone town of cement and steel, adding fairground attractions, and ruining anything that's good (ie the natural beauty of the Bancroft Gardens, which they are turning into a city centre garden at great expense).

Germaine Greer is too near the knuckle for many.

**Will** · 25-06-2008, 09:40 AM

Unregistered, I think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head. I for one am not looking forward to the giant fairground wheel, and all the temporary stalls which will be thrown up around it. Another big eyesore, it's bad enough that if from approach Stratford from the bridge, you are greeted with an ugly merry-go-round and garish children's swings.

Stratford's natural beauty is being eroded at an alarming rate. I'm almost 100% certain the next to go will be the big open space of grass opposite the Bancroft. That will either (and most likely) more rabbit warren housing, or more gigantic retail buildings which only chain stores can afford.

Personally, I think the damage done to Stratford over the last few years is totally irreversible. The destruction of the Bankcroft was the final straw for me. Increasingly, I just don't want to live here any more, and it's a sentiment many of my friends (the one's who haven't already left) share.

Dexter · 25-06-2008, 12:49 PM

The fairground wheel isn't going to happen..The planning people in the council rejected it.

With reference to the Bancroft, my sentiments entirely..When the history of Stratford gets updated a brass plaque should be erected at the entrance to the Bancroft "the plaque of shame" with all the names of all the District Councillors who represented Stratford when the decision was taken to destruct the gardens, so all can see for posterity

To my knowledge NOT ONE COUNCILLOR spoke out publically in the meetings or tried to get it stopped..

And as for the idiot "Les" who is in charge of the district council, if even 10% of his utterings as reported in the press are true, with people like this in charge is it any surprise what has happened????

26-02-2008, 03:50 PM	#31 (permalink)
Mari Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 96	Prince Charles, against moder and horrible new devopment I came across this old news from the Guardian.uk The Royal Shakespeare Company's controversial plan to demolish its Stratford playhouse and build a £100m riverside "theatre village" was unanimously approved by a committee of MPs yesterday, giving a much needed boost to the beleaguered artistic director, Adrian Noble. Ignoring criticism by traditionalists - among them Prince Charles who has warned against a "modern and horrible" new development - MPs on the media and culture select committee, led by Gerald Kaufman, said change was necessary. They said the 70-year-old grade II listed Royal Shakespeare Theatre offered "neanderthal conditions" unable to do Shakespeare justice. The committee found the art deco venue would no longer comply with statutory requirements, such as disabled access and safety rules, by 2004. MPs said they understood the RSC's complaints that the building was unsafe, that those with cheaper tickets had appalling views and that provisions for disabled theatregoers were inadequate. Plans for the new complex will be revealed this summer and will include a theatre, a venue to replace the Other Place, and various exhibitions and educational initiatives as part of a themed village that will build on the three million visitors to Stratford each year. Only 600,000 of those visitors buy tickets to RSC plays and the company feels more needs to be done to attract them in "daylight hours". Veteran actor Sir Michael Gambon believes the changes are unnecessary and many others have shuddered at the idea of a Warwickshire "Shakespeareland", something the RSC assured critics it had no plans for. At least Prince Charles is on our side.

25-06-2008, 07:22 AM	#38 (permalink)
Unregistered Posts: n/a	World Class Stratford The Council and the World Class committee have yet to prove to residents and visitors that they understand what makes Stratford 'Stratford'. They seem to think that turning Stratford into a clone town of cement and steel, adding fairground attractions, and ruining anything that's good (ie the natural beauty of the Bancroft Gardens, which they are turning into a city centre garden at great expense). Germaine Greer is too near the knuckle for many.

25-06-2008, 09:40 AM	#39 (permalink)
Will Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Stratford Upon Avon Posts: 917	Unregistered, I think you've pretty much hit the nail on the head. I for one am not looking forward to the giant fairground wheel, and all the temporary stalls which will be thrown up around it. Another big eyesore, it's bad enough that if from approach Stratford from the bridge, you are greeted with an ugly merry-go-round and garish children's swings. Stratford's natural beauty is being eroded at an alarming rate. I'm almost 100% certain the next to go will be the big open space of grass opposite the Bancroft. That will either (and most likely) more rabbit warren housing, or more gigantic retail buildings which only chain stores can afford. Personally, I think the damage done to Stratford over the last few years is totally irreversible. The destruction of the Bankcroft was the final straw for me. Increasingly, I just don't want to live here any more, and it's a sentiment many of my friends (the one's who haven't already left) share. __________________ --==Forum Admin Will==-- Your Friendly Forum Admin. - Contact me. Last edited by Will : 25-06-2008 at 12:53 PM.

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27-02-2008, 05:26 AM	#32 (permalink)
Lex Good Grief.... Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Stratford Posts: 383	There seems to be little point in protesting on issues, as the local councils just ignore what's being said (unless, of course, what people say agrees with what the council says). The words 'vested interests' comes to mind. One occasion which runs contrary to this is SDC's opposition o the new footbridge, a stance which I support (and most Stratfordians too, I'd imagine!) Unfortunately, WCC seem to have hijacked the project and are pushing it through on the quiet. They are/have been holding a second 'consulataion' with selected local groups, which - surprise, surprise - are supportive of the bridge.

29-04-2008, 10:10 PM	#33 (permalink)
David1976 New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 9	I think you people are far too critical. I moved to Stratford in 2006 and quite honestly, I am happier here than I have been for years. I think you take a lot of good points about Stratford for granted. We have regular buses to many towns and villages (including Coventry and Birmingham) and rail routes to London. The north of Stratford is really developing with new shopping facilities. The May Bird centre is being improved and there are new shops planned for the area in the new housing development by Tesco. I read in on of the posts that Leamington Spa was being praised. Well, Leamington is worse than Stratford. I'd much rather live in Stratford than anywhere else. David Check Out My Online Shopping Centre Dave's Place - Part of the ei42 Shopping Network Get One Just Like it totally FRE*E of charge Ei42.com - Everything on the Internet and 42, the Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything

01-05-2008, 11:11 AM	#34 (permalink)
Dexter Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 28	With all respect David..you say you moved here in 2006..thats fine..You chose to move to a town with literally hundreds of new houses littered on newly built housing estates. You chose to move to a town with a massively expanding population. You chose to move to a town with huge out of town retail complexes being sprung up...Thats fine. I moved here 18 years ago because I WANTED to live in a small market town with a villagey feel to it which had a sense of local community and thats what I got The main gripe we have is that this has been literally torn away from us and certainly the democratic wishes of those of us living here have been ignored. Yes Stratford is a nice place compared to others, but I can assure you NOT as nice as it was..And before you think i'm some OAP that doesn't want any change, i'm far from that not even 45 yet!!!

02-06-2008, 09:49 AM	#35 (permalink)
Lex Good Grief.... Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Stratford Posts: 383	It's only on returning to Stratford after several months away, have I realised how tatty the town is getting - cracked pavements, dirty streets, crowded, grass verges that haven't been mowed for months (apart from the odd one where a local resident has had enough & done it him/herself), etc. etc. etc... I'm starting to come round to thinking World Class Stratford is a good idea, as long as it's well thought out & not just the piecemeal effort it seems to be so far. When is work proper going to start on WCS anyway; or has all the money been spent on thinking about it? Another thing; Stratford really IS a very expensive place. I saw some British beer for sale in New Zealand, and it wasn't too much more expensive than buying it in a shop in Stratford - only about £1.20 more, not bad considering it had been transported half way around the world!!

25-06-2008, 12:49 PM	#40 (permalink)
Dexter Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 28	The fairground wheel isn't going to happen..The planning people in the council rejected it. With reference to the Bancroft, my sentiments entirely..When the history of Stratford gets updated a brass plaque should be erected at the entrance to the Bancroft "the plaque of shame" with all the names of all the District Councillors who represented Stratford when the decision was taken to destruct the gardens, so all can see for posterity To my knowledge NOT ONE COUNCILLOR spoke out publically in the meetings or tried to get it stopped.. And as for the idiot "Les" who is in charge of the district council, if even 10% of his utterings as reported in the press are true, with people like this in charge is it any surprise what has happened????