Page 21 - link magazine

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IN ASSOCIATION
WITH
in association with

in association with
in association with
It’s time to bring culture home…

in association with
Following the June Link’s exclusive interview with Hadrian Ellory-van Dekker, Swindon Museum & Art Gallery Trust’s newly appointed director responsible for
developing a new museum and art gallery, Daniel Rose of the Mechanics’ Institution Trust argues that there is a better location for such a facility in the town.

‘A hive of community, culture, located within a few minutes of the
learning and creativity’ – you could train station as well as the Outlet
be forgiven for assuming such a Centre which now attracts millions
headline is straight out of modern of visitors a year;
marketing spin for regeneration. • Great visibility from the train
But actually this description is line for promotion - ‘lets get off the
about something that all started train at Swindon!’;
175 years ago, namely the highly • Overall regeneration of the
innovative and far-reaching work of area creates an exciting and
Swindon’s Mechanics’ Institution. inspiring hive of activity which
Even before the Institution Swindon deserves – retail at the
built its premises in 1854 the Outlet; community, culture and
organisation was rising to the performance at the Mechanics’;
social, health, learning and cultural In the distance, the Carriage Works between London Street and the London heritage visitor attractions
challenges of the day. to Bristol railway line, with UTC Swindon in the foreground and the including the much needed boost
The Mechanics’ was the epicenter National Monument Record close to STEAM on the other side of the tracks. to Steam; art and local history;
of Swindon life, so popular and Out of shot on the right are the Railway Village and the Mechanics’ Institute independent restaurants and cafés,
successful that it quickly burst Swindon has an impressive could become a new Museum of places to meet; leisure facilities in
out of the Mechanics’ and further modern art collection hidden away Swindon and the extensive sheds the beautiful Health Hydro; green
buildings and organisations were in Old Town in a building erected behind an impressive and inspiring spaces to walk and play within the
formed around it. Organisation’s purposely in the 1960’s. And it space for the modern art collection. GWR Park..…. the list goes on….
like the Medical Fund Society were might be better displayed in the So would the Carriage Works
created to meet the challenge of town centre, in a larger building. be viable? Yes. Such former Swindon is a town where people
Swindon’s health needs and later But is this the right place? Who industrial spaces are popular and used to decide which local needs
built the Milton Road Baths in has decided, and by what process, provide large, adaptable spaces for should be met, and in what priority.
1891. that this is so important, now? collections. David Hockney himself That’s what the Mechanics’
The recent Link article about Does it make sense to pursue that paints in such a shed in Yorkshire Institution, the Health Hydro, the
‘Swindon’s new museum and art goal now, in a time of ‘austerity’, and Bristol’s recent new museum is former hospital in Emlyn Square all
gallery’ makes you wonder how a at the cost of £5 million borrowing, housed in very similar surroundings. represent, just by standing there;
gaping hole by the Wyvern Theatre in the hope of £10 million Heritage the film ‘Railway Town’ proved
pictured on the front page has Lottery funding, when the The advantage of this plan: this point recently. All our derelict
managed to get ahead of a 30-year Mechanics’ Trust has long expected • The desire to create a new jewels need to be restored and
community effort to re-claim the this very same Lottery Fund to museum and art gallery also functioning in the interests of
derelict Mechanics’ Institution for support the renovation and re-use enables the regeneration of derelict local people, and be welcoming to
the people of Swindon. of a community achievement of heritage; visitors too.
Swindon Borough Council decided international status? • Creates a real, authentic heritage Let’s think ambitiously, and in a
some time ago to create a ‘cultural If the goal of a new museum and and cultural quarter; joined-up fashion to get the best
quarter’ in and around the proposed art gallery is to make our collections • More attractive to the Heritage we can for Swindon in the spirit of
site of this new museum and art more accessible and celebrated, Lottery Fund due to the added those who left us such a legacy.
gallery. What has been ignored is then an alternative vision that truly benefit of restoring heritage and And what about that gaping
the potential of the Railway Village has heart and soul is required. shows a commitment and clear hole in the town centre? I’m sure
area to once again be Swindon’s Imagine a restored Railway strategy regarding the Railway plenty of developers in the current
true ‘cultural quarter.’ Village, once again the centre of Village and Mechanics’; market would be keen on a town
Earlier I mentioned marketing spin Swindon’s social and cultural life, centre site for housing, say mid-
– Swindon is immensely lucky that with the Mechanics’ Institution • Better value for money and rise apartments, providing a very
we have a real ‘cultural quarter’ at its core providing a facility for the ability to create a mix of welcome financial boost to the
just waiting to be dusted off and community action, large events other uses in the Carriage Works council and provide more shoppers
brought back to life. We all want to spaces, performing arts, theatre, and surrounding area to make a for the retail area.
see excellent culture and heritage in independent cinema, conferences as stronger sustainable model and This alternative vision is
Swindon but let it be authentic and well as a café and restaurant focal point; essentially everything nearly all of
grounded in our sense of place - not Across the road in the former • Location – the art collection is us have always wished Swindon
just some off the shelf, instantly GWR Carriage Works on London predicted (and deserves) to attract could be. Surely it’s a no-brainer?
forgettable modern development Street - the home of a new museum many visitors from outside Swindon. Find out more at:
you could find in any town or city. and art gallery. The street frontage The Carriage Works is ideally www.mechanics-trust.org.uk
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