Today's most viewed
Calls for town to stage international festival
AN INTERNATIONAL arts festival should be created in Basingstoke, according to a former council leader.
Councillor Stephen Reid believes the borough should "think big" and host an extravaganza similar in scale to the Edinburgh or Reading festivals.
Cllr Reid floated the idea at a borough committee meeting where he called on local businesses to back the project.
Buckskin ward member Cllr Reid said: "I have been a great believer in the concept of a Basingstoke festival for many years.
"We could have a week or two of events, with concerts at The Anvil, plays at The Haymarket, a heritage trail, a rock concert in Eastrop Park with fireworks over the pond.
"It could culminate in one final night where people buy a ticket that entitles them to visit all the attractions and they could pass through town, place by place, and see exactly what it has to offer."
Cllr Reid said he saw no point in trying to recreate the defunct Basingstoke Carnival.
He told members of the economic and community development overview committee: "Like other events such as Reading, or Edinburgh, Basingstoke festival would become synonymous with an important event in the year."
Cllr Reid's comments came during the committee's review of events in the borough.
He said the festival would be part-funded by the council, with contributions also coming from the cost of a festival programme and businesses, which would be asked to provide sponsorship.
After listening to the views of members,
committee chairman Cllr Rob Golding said
the festival idea would be passed on to the Cabinet.
He said: "There seems to be widespread support among the committee for a week or two of events and we're interested in defining that and investigating the best use of officers' time regarding organisation."
8:49am Monday 29th September 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: BonzoDog, local on 10:17am Tue 30 Sep 08
My first thought was "Whatever happened to the Basingstoke Carnival?"
Then I remembered!
My first thought was "Whatever happened to the Basingstoke Carnival?"
Then I remembered!
Posted by: Stephen Reid, Home on 12:20pm Tue 30 Sep 08
I was sorry to see the Carnival go, and in a way the Festival would be an updating of the theme.
The Carnival faltered for many reasons: the procession was being increasingly used for trade adverts and people were increasingly thinking of the fair in the park as 'the Carnival'. I felt really sorry for stalwarts like Brian Dearling, who did so much over the years, but personally I don't think the Carnival could be resurrected in its old form.
The Festival could be the successor to the Carnival - but bigger and targetting a wider audience.
It could use all the facilities of the Borough - the natural arena offered by the Park, Eastrop Park, both halls in the Anvil, the Theatre, Carnival Hall, shopping squares, community centres, Churches and so on.
My 'vision'is to have many events taking place, organised by the relevant management committees but co-ordinated into the Basingstoke Festival.
The objective is to put on a major event for the region (not just Basingstoke) and attract people and business into the Borough.
If we want to attract prestige jobs here, the self-confidence displayed by a Festival would surely help.
I was sorry to see the Carnival go, and in a way the Festival would be an updating of the theme.
The Carnival faltered for many reasons: the procession was being increasingly used for trade adverts and people were increasingly thinking of the fair in the park as 'the Carnival'. I felt really sorry for stalwarts like Brian Dearling, who did so much over the years, but personally I don't think the Carnival could be resurrected in its old form.
The Festival could be the successor to the Carnival - but bigger and targetting a wider audience.
It could use all the facilities of the Borough - the natural arena offered by the Park, Eastrop Park, both halls in the Anvil, the Theatre, Carnival Hall, shopping squares, community centres, Churches and so on.
My 'vision'is to have many events taking place, organised by the relevant management committees but co-ordinated into the Basingstoke Festival.
The objective is to put on a major event for the region (not just Basingstoke) and attract people and business into the Borough.
If we want to attract prestige jobs here, the self-confidence displayed by a Festival would surely help.
Posted by: BonzoDog, local on 7:21pm Tue 30 Sep 08
Good Luck!
Posted by: Ragman, Hampshire on 1:40pm Wed 1 Oct 08
I always thought the carnival faltered because they pedestrianised the best part of the route - Wincheater Rd / London Street - and made getting to town to see it impossible by making the whole town centre one-way!
I always thought the carnival faltered because they pedestrianised the best part of the route - Wincheater Rd / London Street - and made getting to town to see it impossible by making the whole town centre one-way!
Posted by: BonzoDog, local on 4:58pm Wed 1 Oct 08
Nah, it's wasn't the roads as they were closed for the event.
Mostly is was due to commercialisation and health and safety regulations. Sadly we've seen so many events fail due to these reasons. There's no resurrection allowed, not in this solar system anyway. Such a shame........
Nah, it's wasn't the roads as they were closed for the event.
Mostly is was due to commercialisation and health and safety regulations. Sadly we've seen so many events fail due to these reasons. There's no resurrection allowed, not in this solar system anyway. Such a shame........
Posted by: Carlos Tilbury, overton on 6:02pm Wed 1 Oct 08
It is a shame, but if this could get off the ground then great as long as local talent is shown and the budget is good enough to bring something special to the town.
Cllr Reid, you said you want to show Basingstoke of to new businesses which I support, but where are they all going to live?
It is a shame, but if this could get off the ground then great as long as local talent is shown and the budget is good enough to bring something special to the town.
Cllr Reid, you said you want to show Basingstoke of to new businesses which I support, but where are they all going to live?
Posted by: T Potts, Wonderland on 8:12pm Wed 1 Oct 08
What a wonderful idea. Perhaps we could host a giant size 'Muppet Show' reunion too. We could hold it in the Council Chambers . . .
What a wonderful idea. Perhaps we could host a giant size 'Muppet Show' reunion too. We could hold it in the Council Chambers . . .
Posted by: Carlos Tilbury, overton on 11:19pm Wed 1 Oct 08
Had a thought after I posted my comment, if this goes ahead, why didnt they stump up the cash for the parade of soliders earlier this year?
Double standards I guess, or they didnt have any cash left over after paying Horaces petrol allowance!
Had a thought after I posted my comment, if this goes ahead, why didnt they stump up the cash for the parade of soliders earlier this year?
Double standards I guess, or they didnt have any cash left over after paying Horaces petrol allowance!
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
