Chairman’s Report

I would like to start by thanking everyone for their support and input over the past twelve months.

I would like to give my report in the form of a S.O.F.T report (Successes, Opportunities, Failures, Threats). I find that this system works for me.

These are purely my opinions from my observances made during this year.

Successes

• Parkicipate. now in it’s third year, was a real success and not just because of the improvement in the weather compared with previous years. The formula of having the visual arts displayed and demonstrated (by means of exhibitions/workshops) in the marquee and the visitor centre – combined with the live-music in the theatre seems to work well and has certainly gone a long way towards increasing the awareness of the Arts within the borough. In general the feed-back from visitors/customers was, in the main positive and complimentary. This doesn’t mean that we can sit back on our laurels and let this year run itself – there is always room for improvement and any suggestions for improvement  – no matter how novel, trivial or revolutionary they may be, will be given serious consideration.
• Acoustic Concerts at Worden. Originally planned as a series of 12, these concerts proved to be so popular that this was extended to 18. There is to be some discussion about the possibility of another series this Summer. It is worth adding here that that raffles at these concert raised almost £1400:00 every penny of which is helping poor people in Africa (half to provide food to the starving in The Sudan and the other half paying for operations (£6:00 per eye) to restore the sight of blind children.
• Dickensian Evening. A couple of minor organisational glitches the previous year meant a bit of work for Michelle to ensure to ensure that this years event ran smoothly and gave no-one any cause for criticism. I attended this year and was very impressed with the way things went. I canvassed the opinions at least ten people attending (including one councillor) they all thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I think Michelle’s decision to leave the ‘Dressing-up’ to the actors was a masterstroke – this took the pressure of the other artists who were left to get on with what they do best.
• Newsletter Tony wrote, produced, edited, formatted the first Arts Forum newsletter. It was concise and straight to the point and I’m sure that a little input from other forum members (reviews/anecdotes etc) would be welcomed for any future editions.
• Funding Advice  I know that, with Michelle’s help, Bears Paw Patchers were successful with an application for funding for their group. I’m not aware of the success/failure of any other group bids that were submitted during the year.
• Arts Pager I updated the Artspager interactive website. Tools on the site include – A calendar, directory, forum, journal, photo album, classified, and links to useful sites. It is being used by one or two forum members. www.artspager.ukart.com.
• Printer We have leased a first class colour laser printer/copier which can be utilised by all members and member groups to print high quality:- poster/flyers/leaflets/booklets etc.
• Exhibition/Workshop Space The centre is almost ready for its grand opening and will be available for use by all forum members & member groups. Special vote of thanks to Tony Gittins who has rolled his sleeves up several times to plaster up the holes and paint the walls.
• Sound System Thanks to a successful funding bid we are in a position to purchase and install a state of the art sound system into the theatre. We have had an expert in to give us a quote. The existing system will be available for use in the community.

Opportunities

• We must maximise use of Arts pager and our printer (+ information gleaned from the ‘promote yourself for free’ presentation) to make sure that all our events (whether collective or individual) get maximum exposure to ensure good attendance and support.
• We are in a position to share best practice and good ideas – If something has worked well for you (or sounded useful but turned out to be a waste of time) don’t keep it to yourself – put it on the table and we can all benefit. (This can include – successful/unsuccessful – Advertising strategies, funding bids, Ticket sales – in fact anything that has a positive or adverse effect on your operation).
• I have contacted an engineering company who are willing to come and do an assessment – re repairing the pull-out seating in the theatre. (at the moment it is condemned)

Failures

• LOGO – we’ve spent twelve months discussing a LOGO to give the forums’  paperwork and publicity material a professional corporate type image. After this meeting we have a chance to put this one to bed – WE NEED TO SORT IT URGENTLY.
• Communications We need to ensure that minutes and agendas are posted out in plenty time – I would suggest that anything later than 14 days before a meeting is unacceptable. I would expect a copy of the minutes to appear on line (Artspager) a few days after any meeting.
• Communication with other parties – Lack of communication between myself, Arts Centre Management, The Community Arts Officer and The Parks Department caused me some serious problems during the series of concerts at Worden. Attendances plummeted at two consecutive concerts – which seemed strange because up to that point there had been a continuous improvement in attendances. Cause – the parks people locked the park entrance gates at dusk and the hinged ‘No Entry’ signs at the only other road onto the park were that rusty that they could not be folded up.

Threats

• I feel that as a forum we are not engaging all areas within the borough and as such are in danger of being labelled as a group that organise events in Leyland. It’s obvious to us that we do this because we have a fabulous venue here at Worden (which is now more user/customer focused than it has been during previous years). However we are rural borough and there are other venues at – Gregson Lane – Longton – New Longton – Penwortham – Farrington – Walton le Dale – Bamber Bridge and Lostock Hall which all deserve our attention – I would like to see 2007 become the year when South Ribble Arts makes an effort to start engaging venues, artistes & groups from some of these outlying areas.