A Vision for Tunbridge Wells

In 2003 I chaired the steering group that published the first Community Plan for the Borough of Tunbridge Wells: not it should be noted for the Borough Council.

The following paragraph is from the plan.

A Community Plan is also about vision and opportunity.  It should foster exciting idea and ways that public and private interests might work together to make them happen.  For instance, an issue that might form the subject of future public debate is whether local people and organisations might work together on a specific 'big idea' to enhance the quality of life within the borough.

The steering group disbanded in 2004, having received the thanks of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, its work completed.  Since then I have looked in vain for signs of a 'big idea'.

In a recent post I commended Canterbury City Council for its determination to improve the economic, social, cultural and educational life of the city by demolishing and rebuilding the Marlowe Theatre (1,200 seats) and in partnership with others building a new library and museum. the Council has invested millions in the schemes.  A 'big idea' if ever there was one.

Where Canterbury led, is Tunbridge Wells to follow?  Below is a link to a press report which I believe is most  encouraging.  My only concern is whether the proposal is seeking to squeeze too much on to the old cinema site, but other than that it is commendable.  Congratulations to Councillor David Jukes for grasping the nettle.  Let the public debate commence!

http://www.kentnews.co.uk/news/council_reveals_concept_for_cinema_site_1_983630

See also:

http://www.kentnews.co.uk/news/bob_atwood_ready_to_emerge_from_the_eye_of_the_storm_1_968161

Royal Tunbridge Wells and nostalgia

As the regeneration saga in Royal Tunbridge Wells bumbles along one key group in the discussion has been the Aspic Brigade, hell bent on preserving the town in a time-warp.  The focus of attention has been the civic complex, which, as I have noted before, did not receive acclaim from Pevsener

An article in today's Daily Telegraph is critical of the decision to list a number of London Underground stations.

One paragraph from the article:

Nostalgia, of the kind to which the English are so prone, can be a debilitating condition. Is there any nation which spends so much time looking over its shoulder and so little time looking forward? The Underground may be a part of our cultural heritage, but it is also, and far more urgently, a problem crying out for a solution.

I enjoyed the following comment I received:

It's fine to be nostalgic. Take out some of the red tiles and build a partial copy somewhere as part of a museum of the Underground. Take a bunch of nice photographs of each of these architectural works, preserve some tiles, make some nice ...displays. Perhaps the displays can even go on tour. And then build modern, efficient Underground stations, because the purpose of the Underground is the utilitarian purpose of TRANSPORTATION.

 

The civic complex in Royal Tunbridge Wells includes a museum/art gallery which is too small, a library on need of modernisation and an inadequate theatre.

 

As my correspondent notes, a building should fulfill its utilitarian purpose.  Canterbury City Council has bitten the bullet and has demolished and rebuilt the Marlow Theatre. Kent County Council is providing funding for a new museum and library in the city.  In Ashford a new library has been built.

 

Time to stop looking over our shoulder in Tunbridge Wells  and look forward.

 

 

Peterborough leading the way?

Interesting article in today's Guardian (see link below) on the issue of civic engagement and participation.  It is not simply about providing capital or revenue resources, it is about empowering people to shape public services and have a say in their delivery

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/jul/26/peterborough-power-to-people

Above all, it is not just about producing strategies.  It is about delivering strategies.