Quote:
Originally Posted by Gayle
I am not hiding the cost, I'm just asking if it can be discussed afterwards.
Also, whilst I'm on this - with regards to the article in the paper on Sat - a few inaccuracies
The crochet sculptures did not cost £2,500. The cost was for the artists time for workshops with local people who then created the sculptures. Your extremely dismissive views on this could potentially upset the local young people and older people who took part in the sessions and contributed to the sculptures. A lot of people learnt new skills with crocheting and enjoyed the sessions.
Ken - the knitting did not take up space in the market hall that could have been rented out - it filled space that was vacant because it was not rented out. If any paying stall holder had wanted the space we would have automatically vacated it.
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I'll respect your wishes and hold off with the cost until after the event.
As regards Saturday's edition of the Lancashire Telegraph, you should be aware by now that quotes in the newspaper are not always verbatim and may unintentionally have their context changed if not printed in their entirety. Although the general gist of what I said was printed it was within the wider context of a rant about the Market Hall being badly underused and filling spaces with these projects instead of traders.
I know this is your job and you clearly feel very passionately about it but I'm afraid as time goes by I am becoming less sympathetic to the cause, particularly as more and more money gets spent when the whole country is in financial death throes.
The council is facing some brutal cutbacks over the next three years on a scale that I can barely get my head around. All non-essential spending should be stopped now to cushion the blow and it pains me to say it but public art events such as these are not 'essential'.
It's an awful thing to say to someone like yourself but when the NHS, police and fire services are being pared to the bone it's time for a bit of perspective.