Howarth Art gallery
 

Any one know if there is any truth in the rumour that
Howarth Art Gallery is to be sold.

Retlaw.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

I most sincerely hope that it isn't true.

I'll be amongst the first protester to chain myself to the front door if it is.

Where did you hear it?

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Yet another soapbox opportunity Garinda, go for it and enjoy.:eek:

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Even though it apparently remains an unsubstantiated rumour, many, many people who live in Hyndburn, and indeed the northwest, would be horrfied if it was true.

Some people actually care about where they live, especially if amenities that were bequeathed to the people of the town are being sold off.

It's happened before, such as when Oswald House in Rhyddings Street, given and used as a museum in Oswaldtwistle, was sold off commercially by the council of the day.

I suspect I'll be one of many people who'd fight something like that happening again.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Your Neminis is PB and he seems content in winding you up.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

No truth in it whatsoever.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Contacted the source again, two versions are now being checked on.
(1) that it was discussed by council.
(2) that it is a done deal and has been sold to Lancs County, who it is claimed will be able to get funding for the upkeep and maintainece of the building, which has been neglected.

What I see wrong with the 2nd is that the county could get funding, use it for other things and move the contents elsewhere more to their liking.
Just look at the prestige value if county moved the Tiffany collection to Preston.

I hope all this has'nt or does'nt happen.
Will know more in a day or so.
Retlaw

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Thats good enough for me

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

I'm sure somebody said they were going to a wedding there, can't remember who

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Sorry to disapoint you Gayle, but there is truth in it, talks HAVE been taking place.
Been to see those who should know, and they admit that it is on the cards.
Why should LC be able to get funding and not HBC.
There is a brass plaque at the top of the stairs, which says where funding has come from for the present displays.

Retlaw.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

What would be so wrong with LCC managing it?

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Howarth Art Gallery was left to the people of Accrington. If there is any truth in this,and there have been rumours circulating, the question would be what might the building be used for in the future.

We cant make guarantees about the future of buildings we don't own. I would hope that Hyndburn Council holds on to the Howarth.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

...mainly because it wasn't given to them. They are the custodians of it, and it's collections, for the people of Accrington.

Thank you for confirming there is some truth in the rumours, and that you seem to oppose the plan, as many others will too.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

So if the Haworth was given to the people of Accrington and Hyndburn Borough Council are merely custodians, shouldn't the people of Accrington want the best custodians to be looking after it?

The Haworth can't physically move so it's never going to be relocated in a different part of the county. It's always going to be there for the people of Accrington.

And btw - if it's for the people of Accrington, why do the people of Accrington not use it??????

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

I don't know Gayle whether there's anything in the rumours or not. It was left to the people of Acrington. which now as you say would be the people of Hyndburn.

People should use it more, but there again Art Galleries are not to everyone's taste. I would like to see it moving to more of Art Gallery/ Museum. Which could include the history of the area, and things like that

I think that would have greater public appeal.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Twenty four hours ago you posted that there was no substance to this rumour 'whatsoever'. Wrongly as it turns out.

Now you seem to be under the impression, wrongly again, that it isn't used by the people of the town. It is, and neighbouring towns, and neighbouring counties, and from counties that aren't neighbouring.

I've spoken to visitors there who've travelled there from as far as North Wales and Dumfries and Galloway.

In the hundreds of times I've visited over the last forty odd years I've never been asked where I was from. Many people choose not to sign the guest book. So the fact is no one knows how many people visit, or where they're from.

More people still would visit, from near and far, in my opinion, if the people in charge of the curatorship were more dynamic and imaginative, and not so half-wittedly parochial, but that's another gripe, and not what this thead's about.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

They do have some historical artifacts, and far more pictures than what are on display, they only have a limited amount of space, so some things are in storage.
They do rotate the pictures and have special themes or events.

Retlaw.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Whatever future direction the Howarth goes in, I personally think that the ownership should remain with this Council.

As you know the Howarth has often been referred to as the "Jewel In The Crown" in Hyndburn. And I think that's right.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

I strongly suspect that PB want's to impress his new colleagues in Preston by arranging the move of the Tiffany Glass to Preston

my intuition is at it again :)

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

In the hundreds of times I've visited over the last forty odd years I've never been asked where I was from. Many people choose not to sign the guest book. So the fact is no one knows how many people visit, or where they're from.

Garri, they do know how many have visited, they have to keep a count of how many visitors each day. They even have to keep a tab on the number of enquiries re my Accrington Heroes, and the Pals display, just to satisfy some one in the town hall that they are doing some thing.

The Tiffany collection back in the past was nearly dumped, some thought it was worthless junk, but some one with foresight saved it.

Retlaw.

More people still would visit, from near and far, in my opinion, if the people in charge of the curatorship were more dynamic and imaginative, and not so half-wittedly parochial, but that's another gripe, and not what this thead's about.[/quote]

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

I saw Lawrence L Bowen visiting the Tiffany Glass in a Tv programme

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Well I'd question the accuracy of any visitor numbers.

True, there's always someone near the door, but sometimes they are busy with another visiting party, and I've never noticed them doing a head count.

Even if they have some sort of mechanical footfall counter, which I doubt, that doesn't give an accurate reading, as many times people sit outside and re-enter the gallery or cafe, more than once.

As stated, I've never once been asked where I'd travelled from.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Your right Bernard, but thats only because the Tiffany collection is there. If it ever gets moved, the building would soon become a neglected relic.
I would hope that there was a covenant on it, when it was given to the people of Accrington, and they dont try to fiddle way round it.

Retlaw

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

They do have a little mechanical counter at the desk at the main entrance, and they do know if people have gone out and re-entered.
They also greet every one that comes in, ask them if they've been before, give them a handout of the collection, and explain where and what all the displays are about, invite them to sign the visitors book.
The do have to take toilet breaks some time, and if I'm there I look after the front desk for them till they return.

Retlaw.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Retlaw - I go to the Haworth regularly - at least once a fortnight, so just because you haven't seen me there, doesn't mean I don't go.

I was perhaps hasty in refuting the rumour, because there is a rumour going around. But that's all it is at the moment, a rumour.

As for visitor numbers - they are extremely poor - Garinda, please trust me on this because I do know that the numbers that go do not always justify the place being open. So, yes, some people may come from out of town, some people may visit regularly, but visitor numbers are not good. Local people do not turn out as often as they should for a 'jewel in the crown'.

Bernard, Retlaw - I wouldn't normally be so pedantic about a spelling, but please get the name of the place right - it is the Haworth Art Gallery, not Howarth.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Ive just stuck haworth art gallery in google .. and thought id visit their website ... but they dont have one!!! The first one is linked to the hyndburn councils website .. which if you look at it shows that they have a shop but no link to buy anything from there. Maybe that might be something for gallery to look into ..

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

A new website is being developed.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Sorrry Gayle about the spelling, I must have thinking about the Labour MP George Howarth. I once canvassed for him.

I agree with the rest of what you say.Honest

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

If the gallery is attracting a poor, however that's decided, visitor count, that is down to bad promotion, and as I said earlier, an uninspiring curatorship. It certainly wasn't the case thirty years ago, when it was in more imaginative hands.

In the linked thread you informed us that funded by the council tax payer, H.B.C. employs a team of four salaried 'arts development' officers.

Either the people that gave them the job aren't very good at deciding who to employ, or the four people they employed aren't particularly good.

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...s-18809-5.html

Perhaps if we employed fewer people, but someone of a higher caliber, who is more able to promote a very beautiful gallery, which has a collection of world reknown, then the place would be buzzing.

I know you don't have much knowledge of the cut and thrust and reality of the business world, but with the right product, promotion, and price, which in this case is free, people come flocking.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

For those who have never been inside the HAworth (dog keeps moving keys around) here is a picture of the entrance hall. The statue on the left of the fireplace used to be at the top of the stairs in Oak Hill Museum.
Retlaw.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Garri the staff at the Haworth are restricted on what they can do by their bosses, they do try to put on exhibitions, they do run workshops for schools on a regular basis.
Accrington Photo Club regularly exibit their work, and they recently ran an exhibition of electronic art, I know it sounds daft, but it kept me entertained in its complexity.

Retlaw.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Must say, when I went there three or four weeks ago to see my mate's exhibition, I was introduced to the curator and she seemed to be absolutely bubbling over with ideas and enthusiasm.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Thirty years ago is a long time.
HBC does not employ four 'arts development' officers, that thread is three years old and now it does not emply one arts development officer. It does employ me on a part time basis and I am trying very hard to get the Year of Culture up and running and changing the way the arts are being handled.

There are people who work at the gallery who curate exhibitions and who run education programmes. There is also a relatively new marketing officer who works part time. As part of my contract with HBC I am advising them on marketing initiatives - which are starting to be implemented - banners on the park outside, a new website being developed, leaflets which are changed monthly etc.

As for me not having any knowledge of the cut and thrust of the business world - how extremely patronising of you. Prior to me leaving the cut and thrust of the business world and having children I worked for a large PLC called SSL International - I managed a yearly budget of £21 million of own label and branded pharmaceutical products. Please do not treat me like some little poppet who is just playing at working for a living!

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Gayle, I'm not having a go at you, honest. I have no idea if you know the arts development officers, but guess you do.

I'm just disappointed that the gallery isn't showing the same quality and diversity of shows, as it did in the not too distant past, and this seems to be mirrored by the fact you say the is poor attendance.

I honestly can't see that being improved by being run by a distant body in Preston. Most people agree that Britain isn't best governed from Brussels, this is the same principle.

Not my particular cup of tea, but wildlife artists used to bring in big crowds. We have many, many artists, both professional and amateur living in the area, who'd love to be exhibited. Plus as Retlaw said, the gallery has a large in house collection that isn't rotated and exhibited enough.

What would I put on, which I think would be a popular draw?

Just pondered this, and came up with your mum.

A very talented, trained artist, who makes her professional living, unlike many, by practicing her skill. An exhibition of photographs of her works hanging in-situ, works she still has, works in progress. A talk, telling how she researches her subject etc. It would appeal not just to art lovers, but historians, and those interested in the pubs of the northwest.

I digress.

Even if attendance numbers are considered 'poor', I don't think the gallery would be better run by L.C.C. It won't be the jewel in their crown, just a small bauble.

I apologise if you think I was having a go.

I do know we both sing from the same hymn sheet, it's just that you sing tenor, and I'm contralto.:D

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

It's not the staff that are at fault then, but those with higher control.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

There are no arts development officers in Hyndburn at the moment - I'm the nearest thing to it and that isn't strictly speaking my role.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

How many members on here have been to haworth art gallery .. i know i never have ..i'll admit it .. even though its only 10 mins walk away .. go past it regular on the bus when going to accy shopping .. spug does say he's going to remedy this .. he says he going to take me when hes down next ... and i will have fun with my camera he says ... hes been in .. many years ago so thats 2 extra visitors in next month or so ..

Rindy and gayle and retlaw go in regular .. so who else has been in?

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Time's relative.

Thirty years ago isn't a long time in the history of art.

Even twenty five years ago, as I've mentioned before, Hyndburn had a varied and diverse art scene. Something that it doesn't have today, fact, no mater how it's dressed up. If your role improves this situation, I'll applaud it.

I apologise for not being fully aware of your full c.v. That was rude, and wrong.

I guess I'm still in shock that a Guardian reader, who stood as a Labour councilor, against the leader of the council, thought the N.H.S. was created by a Liberal government.:eek::D:eek:

However, the gallery shouldn't be sold to L.C.C., and if numbers are poor, again I'll state I've never once been asked where I was from, then the quality of curatorsip isn't good enough, and we should be employing someone with a more impressive c.v., and a wider background in the arts.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

So three or four years we had four art development workers, acording to your old post, and now we have you in a part time position?

Not being rude, but when did the other posts finish, and was the job you have advertised?

The whole thing sounds a shambles.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

To say there's apparently so little local interest in art, and the exhibits at the Haworth, this thread has been one of the fastest growing, and most widely read for quite a while.

Probably since the Panopticon thread.

Perhaps Hyndburn isn't inhabited by such Philistines after all.

It's just they aren't being given the right art.

:D

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

i was yon the day after wynonie to what i termed a good little exhibition, staff were very pleasant n pointed me in right direction, before that its probably about 12/13 years since i was there, only found out about this little exhibition on accyweb or i wouldn't have been there a few weeks ago, i think that small fact that theres little publicity contributes somewhat to small attendances. probably will not help a great deal wi observor being a out of town publication these days.:confused:

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

That certainly won't help.

There always used to be an article and photograph when the new monthly exhibitions opened. It usually featured the opening night party, thus giving ample notice to the public of what was going to be on over the coming weeks, but there hasn't been anything like that for quite some time, and well before the Observer's Accy office closed.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

What I would be interested in is why people don't visit the Haworth Do some people think it's not for them. Maybe they think it's too elitist.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

that was what i was getting at, it ceased to be a real "Local" paper way back, hence reason i only buy it rarely.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Like I said, I apologise most humbly, and I'll admit that all sounds very impressive.

However it doesn't leave an awful lot of room for your qualifications and experience when it comes to the arts, and to qualify your new position in employ of the council.

Was this position advertised? If so, where?

It would be interesting to read the job description, qualifications, salary etc.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

I think personally that it's got very little to do with press coverage The fact of the matter is that a vast number of people in Hyndburn have never visited the gallery.They simply don't think it's for them

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Disagree Bernard, whilst i accept it aint fer everyone, those who like various exhibitions NEED to know Whats On, or else hardly any beggar will go.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

That's down to bad marketing, not necessarily in the Observer, and putting on exhibitions that aren't attractive enough to make people want to go.

Put something on that people will be interested in, advertise it well, and they'll go.

In the past, Saturday and Sunday was chock-a-block, you had to queue to look at certain things.

In the depression of the thirties people flocked to museums and art galleries, because they were skint, and it was free. There is no earthly reason Accy's Haworth shouldn't be as busy as many others are today.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

I'm sure your'e right. Put something on that's both interesting,and relevant to people who live in this area.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Sorry, that sounds like another dig.

I know you work hard, and do everything you can, as I'm sure you do in this new position.

You'll probably achieve more part time, than four full time people.

Please ignore my post (It was to late to edit.) You don't have to justify yourself to me or anyone else, and I guess the job came about because you fought for it's creation, because otherwise there'd be no one doing anything.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

I take your point. But advertised or not, if people don't think it's for them they are just not going to go there.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

thats not in question, but different exhibitions suit different people, n to me the whole object of such a place must be known, simple to me, don't know the actual figures, but accy library seemed very well attended fer the Stanley exhibition least was the two times i went, plus others told me the same.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

I believe it was well attended. And it's the sort of thing I would put on at the gallery. It would get people in.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

therein i reckon is the difference, that was quite well publicised, so must have helped the figures? plus being town centre must have helped.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

ive never been to the gallery mainly because all i thought that was in there was tiffany glass and when you are age 18/19 your more interested in going out and having a good time, going out with your mates, etc .. didnt know there were other exhibitions on. This is from someone who is just up the road .. Mum used to get the Rossendale Free Press not the Accy Observer and never saw anything about it in there .... Yet if i go on holiday i enjoy going round museums.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

apart from the Tiffany Glass , which is okay for maybe two or three trips with visiting out of towners what other good stuff is "rat-holed" away , any Lowries or Helen Bradley's that no one knows about ? (or have they been sold off), sure lots of stuff was donated/given in the old days by the 'Cotton Barons' who seemed to have had lots of civic pride .
Seems to me more folk know about the Helmshore textile mill museum , or the Lewis in Blackburn than the Haworth in Accy

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Me .... I have, lots of times. Once had something on the wall in there .... part of an exhibition of work from Accy Grammar .... I think it was an ink wash of a ruined factory off the end of Lower Barnes St.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Sadly the Lewis Textile Museum, bequeathed by Thomas Boys Lewis to the people of Blackburn, is no more. The property was vacated, and the collection added to that of the museum on Museum Street.

Look how easy it is for our heritage to disappear, which local benefactors thought would in the care of safe hands.

The same could easily happen to some, or all of the Haworth's collection.

Again I point out as an example the donation of Oswald House, donated and used as a museum in Oswaldtwistle, until it was sold off commercially by the council of the day, and it's collections dispersed.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Seeing how this thread has attracted do much attention, perhaps Gayle could use this platform to advertise whats on at the Haworth.
I know that Jennie the curator tries her best to get publicity for events, but without a means of presenting it to the public, since the demise of the Accy Observer, whats left, printing leaflets and flyers, ? who pays for those.

Retlaw

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Would be worthwhile promoting in local schools one would think. As a lot of teachers travel from out of town these days they are could be unaware of its existance.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

The local schools are aware of it, I posted earlier that they run workshops for schools.

Retlaw.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

After a little reccy this weekend, taking into account what's currently on display, and what's been exhibited in the past, I reckon the commercial value of the paintings and drawings alone at the Haworth is worth well over £5 million.

That doesn't take into account the priceless Tiffany glass, although even that will have a massive commercial price tag.

This collection, along with the house and grounds, was bequeathed to the townsfolk of Accrington.

Hyndburn Borough Council are the custodians of the collection, and it certainly is the jewel in the area's crown.

Ownership must not be sold on to Preston based Lancashire County Council, and hopefully there'll be enough covenants concerned with the trust's charitable status, and associated red tape, to prevent the collection falling out of local control.

When whichever nincompoop that came up with this idea, is buried six feet under the sod, there's no guarantee that in the future the collection won't leave Accrington forever, and end up in some dusty corner of the Harris Museum in Preston, with the excuse that it's more cost effective.

As well as Accrington Stanley, the Nori brick, and textiles, Accrington's unique association with world famous Tiffany glass must be preserved by keeping control of it within the borough itself.

Call me cynical old git, but I think it's highly suspicious that the leader of the borough council has recently got his finger in another pie as well, that pie being L.C.C.

H.B.C. are the custodians of this collection, and I, and I presume many others, will fight tooth and nail to keep control of it here in Hyndburn.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

i aint calling ya cynical more sensible fer making that connection with the pie, haworth must n should remain in hyndburn,:(

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Good Grief, you turn your back for five minutes and the next thing you know they are selling off the family silver!

I am more than aware that the clowns who inhabit HBC would be hard pressed to run a bath if their lives depended on it and so it comes as little surprise to hear that between them they have managed to run down Haworth Art Gallery to the point where they can no longer afford to do the repairs. It was ever thus. In my own time of working at the gallery under the sainted Norman Potter, I recall that he had the devil of a job persuading the council to fork out for even the most basic of repairs.

So much is bad enough. But the very idea that the Idiot-in-Chief and his sychophants are contemplating selling it off to LCC (another organisation that does not understand the meaning of the word "maintenance", you should have seen the state they left Dyke Nook in when they had finished with it - ask Atarah!) is beyond belief. Of course Accy Webber's are dead right to suspect that there is some sort of underhanded dealing in all this.

And there was the lovely Gayle, only yesterday, wittering on about how HBC are going to run Ossy Civic Theatre as a business... for profit...Don't make me laugh Gayle, HBC could not find their own backsides, even if they used both hands! AS A BUSINESS??? MAKE A PROFIT????? What is Britcliffe paying you to shovel his propaganda for him??? This would be hilarious if it weren't so tragically, desperately, S A D!

The Gallery and its contents were left to the people of Accrington. There is a big bronze plaque in the hallway which says just that. It belongs to the people, not HBC! And I am certain that the people, if consulted, would never agree to its sale, whether to LCC or anyone else for that matter.

I would like to hear what our lovely Graham Jones's position is on this matter. and then I want the equally lovely Gayle to tell us that it is all just an unsubtantiated rumour with absolutely no substance to it whatsoever.

Then I think that Gayle might enthrall us all with a little transparency and fully explain her links to HBC and the odious Britcliffe.:mad::mad::mad::mad:


And you needn't think that I will let this drop, because I won't until I get an answer!!!!!

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

I have a question for Graham. What is going on with Haworth Art Gallery Graham? What is your position on the council selling off assets that belong to the people of the borough??

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

It depends. The Art Gallery is public facility so straightforward no there. Profitable industrial estates or businesses, no. Pieces of land underused maybe. Derelict buildings probably. If it is purely a financial equation then it is what is best financially for Hyndburn.

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

I'd just like to point out that although I've publicly thanked one of my counciilors, Cllr. Britcliffe, for help given, I'm not the Hyndburn sensual hassler.

:D

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Sorry, I'm a bit confused.

Could you clarify that you think the Haworth Art Gallery should remain under the direct controil of H.C.C., and not L.C.C?

I presume the 'depends' refers to the other assests you mentioned?

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

Thanks for the answer Graham, but can you clarify the position regarding the rumoured sale of Haworth Art Gallery to LCC?

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Just out of interest, does anyone know if the building is on any local, county or regioal database as being a potential site for film (TV/Movie) making?

bloody hell...there are 560 viewing this post!

Re: Question for Graham Jones
 

The Haworth was BEQUEATHED to the people of Accrington, NOT to some idiot council leader who thinks he is gods gift to Hyndburn.
IT WAS FOR THE PEOPLE OF ACCRINGTON, britcliffe an his gang are there to look after it and maintain it for Accrington, NOT to view it as an asset for political gain or profit.

Retlaw

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Further to the issue of the Haworth.
I've attached two pictures and underlined two sentences.

Retlaw.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

I agree fully with what you are saying, Walter - the likes of Britcliffe and his ilk have no right whatsoever to flog off the family silver. The underlying question that I have is "How do we fully utilise this asset to the town?". Lets face it - over recent years there has been little publicity given to this jewel and little investment made in order to develope it's full potential. That is why I asked the question about a database, made available to filmmakers.

Many local authorities do now have a dedicated film unit in order to attract, in the first instance, studios wishing to do on location shooting. It's amazing what the right camera angle can seem to portray.Howarth would, for instance make an excellent 'Baskerville Hall' - don't laugh - although Conan Doyle set the book in the west country, the last film version was shot in Yorkshire. Even better - and what more fitting - should the building double as 'Withering Heights'? The name is there - Howarth - and it would pee those Tyke b**tards off something rotten.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Trouble is although the curator does do a lot of exhibitions and runs workshops for school projects, there is now no local paper to advertise the events in, even having leaflets printed doesn't seem to have any real effect, when was the last time any one saw a leaflet for the Haworth, or a notice in the fish and chip wrapper laughingly known as the Accrington Observer.

Retlaw.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

It should have said (I think) serial hassler????!!!!:cool:

What I know. Hyndburn Council has always been under financial pressure and the Art Gallery budget is £300k IIRC. (Deep grey cells at work)

About 4 years ago (Tory) HBC approached (Lab) LCC to investigate 'possibilities'. LCC have a big portfolio of museums etc.. (and are more capable).

Nothing came of it but it was never 'put to bed'.

HBC's finances are a cause for concern. The mismanagement has been massaged by Government handouts which are being withdrawn.

I remember speaking to my predecessor Jean Battle who was a County Councillor who told me of HBC's view. County would be able to better manage and increase the budget of Haworth Art Gallery providing people with a better facility. There was talk of just transferring the management and not the building.

I have no idea what has happened in the last two years. More of the same?

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Would this be the same Labour controlled County Council, who about 4 years ago, despite superior financial resources for arts and libraries, managed to shut down Church Library?

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

What I know. Hyndburn Council has always been under financial pressure and the Art Gallery budget is £300k IIRC. (Deep grey cells at work)

About 4 years ago (Tory) HBC approached (Lab) LCC to investigate 'possibilities'. LCC have a big portfolio of museums etc.. (and are more capable).
Thats just it more capable at what, they would soon find an excuse to tranfer all the contents to somewhere Preston way and come with a load of barnyard confetti to justify it. Retlaw.
Nothing came of it but it was never 'put to bed'.

HBC's finances are a cause for concern. The mismanagement has been massaged by Government handouts which are being withdrawn.

I remember speaking to my predecessor Jean Battle who was a County Councillor who told me of HBC's view. County would be able to better manage and increase the budget of Haworth Art Gallery providing people with a better facility. O yes for how long, another load of bull. Retlaw.
There was talk of just transferring the management and not the building.

I have no idea what has happened in the last two years. More of the same?[/quote]
Lets just hope its never brought up again, the Haworth belongs to the people of Accrington, its not up to the council to decide where the contents should be housed or who runs it, County has a long history of neglect, look at what they did with Accrington Fire Station, and how they ever come to own that beats me, something happened in 1948 which has never been made clear to me.
Retlaw.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Yes.

Library usage apparently was in serious decline. Other options were put forward (internet library?) but no one would carry the financial can.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Lets just hope its never brought up again, the Haworth belongs to the people of Accrington, its not up to the council to decide where the contents should be housed or who runs it, County has a long history of neglect, look at what they did with Accrington Fire Station, and how they ever come to own that beats me, something happened in 1948 which has never been made clear to me.
Retlaw.[/QUOTE]

I perhaps didn't emphasis clearly. LCC did not approach HBC or push this idea. HBC pushed this idea and asked LCC to 'have a look at it'. HBC then got cold feet. LCC never said yes. However LCC did not want to see HAG go the dogs.

LCC's view if it was asked to step in was to enhance HAG, not take from it as HAG had great potential. This may have included refurbishing the still abandoned stables to expand HAG reputation, exhibitions to a wider audience.

In the end as I said, LCC had no ambitions to take it on and HBC pulled out after enquiring and LCC just left it at that.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Thanks for that clarification Graham, you have set my mind at rest a little. So there is no suggestion that Britcliffe's largesse over the civic theatre is bought at the expense of Haworth Art Gallery is there? Or that he might have proposed and backed the sale as a way of warming his seat at the top table in county hall??

Strange that the lovely Gayle seems to have gone silent on the matter. I wonder what that means??

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Still no answer from Gayle.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

We have debated this before and decided that it did not matter it closed as you are the last person from Church that can actually read and even you moved down south :rolleyes::D

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

I used Church Library sometimes.
I searched the LCC library website for a particular book and often found they had it 'on shelf' when Ossy and Accy didn't, and I could park right outside the door when returning books (ideal on bad weather days)

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

This shouldn't even be up for discussion.

Hopefully there's enough legal entanglements because of covenants etc, when it was gifted to the people of Accrington, for it's direct control ever to leave the town, and be transferred elsewhere.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

I do not know the current plan or thinking. I only know what was said under a Labour LCC. That's how we knew. Not because HBC informed Councillors.

Both are now Conservative and I am far from knowing what is happening now, though I have heard no rumours to suggest anything is happening.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Given the level of concern expressed, and as you are a councillor and now PPC, as well as residing in the borough, would it be too much to ask you to make a few enquiries???? Please. :D:D:D

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

If it does all end up in a dusty corner of Preston's Harris Museum, after control is sold to L.C.C., perhaps we should be following Yvonne's instruction, and busy ourselves making paper copies of the exhibits now, so we can at least remember what they look like.



YouTube - Haworth Art Gallery - Mosaic Workshop

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Oh, so this is the creature who is responsible for all the mosaic abortions that litter the town, is it? So long as I know. If I were in charge of the Arts in Hyndburn she would be the first one paying a visit to the Job Centre.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

A story in the Telegraph this week about the Haworth.

£120,000 revamp for Haworth Art Gallery grounds (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Good news, and investment will hopefully end any future plans for the Haworth's collections to come under the control of any body outside of Accrington.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Quick question - at what point is it appropriate to say 'i told you so' to some of the doubters? :D

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Coming from a party leader on H.B.C., that fact more than adequately proves that some people's actions were more than 'rumour', regarding future plans for who controls the Haworth.

If, due to feared public outrage, some people now realise that any discussion of the Haworth's control leaving Accrington, would be vehmently opposed, so much the better.

As so often with rumour, there's very often no smoke without fire, despite what those carrying the kindling are told.

;)

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Well you can say it now Gayle... and while you are at it how about answering some of the questions I posed the other week in this thread and in the ossy civic theatre thread... and then, when you have done that perhaps you would care to enlighten us all about how much ratepayers hard earned cash is finding its way into your bank account for your consultancy services.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Have you been lying in wait for me? :D

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Well we were kinda wondering where you had got to. I suppose that now you and britters are bezzies you have plenty to keep you occupied. So, about those questions.......?

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Who's the 'we', I can't see any discussion on here asking for me to return.
I don't think anyone was wondering where I'd got to, except you. Everyone that I know well, was well aware of where I was.

I am very busy at the moment as it happens. I have an Arts Centre to open.

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

When our wonderful MP's were asked by a journalist to explain what they did with the money they claimed in expenses they did everything in their power to avoid answering the question. As I recall, " I am too busy " was a fairly common excuse. The journalist eventually had to resort to using the Freedom of Information Act.

The question is... What have you got to hide Gayle???

Re: Howarth Art gallery
 

Herself A-B, shes gone.:D