Chairmans Letter May 2009

May 7th, 2009

Dear All

You will have seen in the press that the Celtic Beer Festival organised by Mr Stuart Boyd (aka Stuart Wright) had to be halted when it was apparent that he had breached the terms of his licence.  Although we have much in the way of rumour and innuendo, we have only a limited number of facts.

The Trust was approached by Mr Stuart Boyd back in 2008 with a view to hiring the site for a festival.  The trust interviewed Mr Boyd and presented him with some conditions which he duly signed, in the form of a contract.  Key amongst these was the requirement for him to get approvals from all of the authorities together with a licence for the event from the Council. This he duly did and paid us for the use of the site.

On the day of the festival it quickly became apparent that he had a number of difficulties – all seeming to arise from not having paid for people and services.

Over the course of Friday night and Saturday, the situation eroded until Mr Wright (as he was known by then) left the site.  By this time, Trustees and some of the traders had invoked “martial law” and a semblance of order had returned.  Bands offered to play for free and others had volunteered to help with security.  However, both the Police and the Council made it clear that the organiser of festival was in breach of his licence and therefore in the interests of safety and security, the show had to stop.

A fantastic period of collaboration between unpaid volunteers helped to bring things to a carefully managed end, with a few hardy souls remaining on the campsite to enjoy the rest of the weekend and the joys of Maker Heights.

Many thanks are due to these people and the police and the local radio for helping to keep order among many disappointed visitors.

The site was cleaned up with help from the Maker Green Team and other volunteers for which we are very grateful.  Now comes the challenge of trying to remediate the site which was devastated as a result of Mr Wright abandoning his obligations as the festival organiser.

The Trust manages nearly 100 acres of land and ancient monuments on a purely voluntary basis.  Every source of income is essential to keep Maker Heights open to the general public as a fantastic beauty spot and a centre for social enterprise.

Just a few of our activities over the coming weeks include:

  • The RCT Rame School of Art, mixed exhibition at the Westcroft Gallery in Cawsand – 8th to 17th May
  • Random Arms - Open mic & the Cinema Club
  • Car Boot Sales restarting soon

Chairmans Letter April 2009

May 7th, 2009

Dear All

It has been a roller coaster ride since my arrival onto the Rame Conservation Trust in the Autumn - and here we are at Spring already. 

With over five hundred members, it is difficult to know everyone and I am sure that even with the aid of modern communications such as the internet and the even more effective local “grapevine“ there may be a few of you who are unaware of the changes since Olly set off in pursuit of fame and fortune over in Munchen.

We are all in debt to Olly for the great job he did to steer the Trust through some very difficult waters, and with the handover of the Chairmanship from Olly to Piers last summer and then to myself in the Autumn, very little has changed about our general direction of travel. 

We are all about being a viable, vibrant, Social Enterprise that serves and sustains all aspects of the Rame Peninsula that has been entrusted to our care.

I am a member, tenant and now a Trustee; so as Chairman, I recognise that duty of care and want you all to share a little about what I have learned about the Trust since being elected at the AGM back in December. 

It has had a rich a chequered past, but throughout its life, there has been a constant theme that recognises Maker Heights as more than just a collection of old buildings scattered around the hills and fields of the Rame Peninsula. 

It is apparent to me that the Trust is a vital part of the community and that Maker Heights has been a perpetual thread upon and around which there has been immense change.  In Napoleonic times the peninsula was an essential part of the defence against the threat of invasion.  In better times, it has been a refuge for families and children whose lives were constrained by privation and the smog of early industrialisation.  When my mum was a girl living in Plymouth, it was once again part of the ring of fire – this time against the tyrannical menace of Hitler’s Nazi war machine.  Despite the barrage balloons and anti-aircraft batteries stationed here, Plymouth suffered terribly during the Blitz. The flat that my Nan, mum and here sisters lived in was hit by incendiary bombs and they had to be evacuated out to the countryside and my neighbour, Viv Holman, who passed away last year, told me of families who were forced out by the bombing to live in tents on Whitsand Bay.

So Maker is no stranger to change and has certainly swung between peril and delight.

Today is no different. 

We live in challenging times – our place on the planet is in jeopardy, the recent and current economic turmoil is impacting everyone and the Trust itself continues to need succour of every kind.

Despite all of the endeavours of its many volunteers, the financial circumstances of the Trust had developed to such a point that a significant restructuring of its debts was essential in order for it to continue to develop and remain an essential part of the community and infrastructure.  That is well underway and we hope to build upon the business plan that we have put to potential funders.  That plan is essential for us to be able to develop the true value of Maker Heights

Over the last few months, we have had to work hard to ensure that the achievements of the last few years are built upon.   There is a now a rich community of artists, artisans and embryonic ventures established in and around the main barracks.  These provide a regular core income to the Trust.

The Random Arms and many of its related social activities are another vibrant source of activity and funds, as well as providing the ever needed injection of youthful exuberance and enthusiasm.

There are also, of course, the many continuing endeavours around the regeneration of the woodlands and the revealing of the many structures in our care.

So this is what is happening now.  What of the future?

In the short term, there is a Celtic Festival scheduled that will draw together some of the history outlined above, with military re-enactments and music from different periods in our recent history, including some of our local bands.  This is a departure from the Maker Sunshine festival and we are all hoping that it will be a great success.  There are other exciting events planned - watch out for news of the Pirate Party in particular.

The Rame School of Art is another embryonic undertaking and we have high hopes for its success.  The first outing will be at the Westcroft Gallery in Kingsand over the May Bank Holiday, so please tell your friends that they heard it here first!

For those of you who know me, you will be aware that I am particularly keen to ensure that the message about sustainable communities is widely broadcast and understood.  Sustainable does not mean standing still.  It does mean something that lasts.  When I use the word sustainable in the context of maker Heights, it applies not just to the fabric of the edifices, but to the wider environmental, economic and social aspects of our inspirational isthmus.

The dangers that I outlined above are real and present, so it is incumbent on every one of us here to play our part in working together towards the evolution of the Trust, its purpose and goals.  We are in a very privileged position and mustn’t let complacency steal back the progress made over the last several years.  I therefore appeal to every one of you to continue to support us in whatever way you can.  Maker Heights is yours, and whether your help is directly as a volunteer or through a donation; or indirectly as a user of the facilities or simply as an ambassador it is equally valued by myself and the rest of your Trustees.

Finally, I want to appeal directly to you to see the fantastic opportunity we have to take advantage of these changing times.  We can use Maker and all of its assets as a model for transition from the days of a selfish and energy hungry world to a more caring, sharing and sustainable community.

New website

May 7th, 2009

Please go to www.makerheights.com for general information about Maker Heights and the Rame Conservation Trust

News from Maker Heights!

September 3rd, 2008
Saturday 30th - Sunday 7th September: Drawn to the Valley Open Studios Week
Visit studios of Zoe Turner, Nick Salmon, Wendy Smart and Helen Markwood
See samples of work of other artists, too.
Drawn to the Valley Celebration Gig with Maker-based musicians: Energy Room, Saturday 6th Sepember
Random Arms open
Sunday 7th September: Car Boot - buy your T-shirts here!
Sunday 14th September: National Heritage Open Event - details not confirmed - look out for posters - display, tour,  children’s concert and cream tea, tour of Redoubt 5 - all subject to volunteer help
Weekend beginning Friday 19th September: Scumbusters Ball - with camping - organised by Maker Green Team
See Energy Room link on Maker Festival 2008 website.
Woodlands Programme
Sunday 28th September: Path clearing
Meet Maker Viewpoint 10.30
Sunday 26th October: Charcoal Burning
Meet opposite Barrow Car Park 10.30
Sunday 23rd November: Clearing Rideout 5
Meet by Fort Picklecombe turn-off 10.30
Stop Press: Your Maker Needs You!!  More Trustees needed!!!

Next Gig At The Random Arms

July 2nd, 2008

~*~*~*The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists*~*~*

Around the south west of Britain, this 4 piece band are legendary for their live performances, where they play a bizarre mix of klezmer, hillbilly, punk, ska, cajun, manouche and folk at pubs in front of bemused locals, and at festivals, weddings and parties.

Check out: www.raggedtrouseredphilanthropists.co.uk,
www.myspace.com/raggedtrouseredphilanthropists

Date: Friday 4th July
Time: 20:30
Cost: £3 members
£5 non members (including £2 towards RCT membership)

Children Under 16 Now Get Free Entry To Maker Sunshine Festival 2008

July 2nd, 2008

Due to the affect of the credit crunch this year we are offering
FREE children under 16 at Maker Sunshine Festival,
to enable families to be able to come,
please help us get the word out to  as many families as poss you know who may like to come by forwarding on to your contacts
Free child tickets will be available on the Maker Festival Website www.makerfestival.co.uk from Thurs 26th June 2008

Maker Sunshine Festival 2008 is almost here are you ready…….

July 2nd, 2008

Hi All of you Maker Festival Friends

We have put together a 4 day event you musn’t miss this year- and we are due a sunny one!

Click here to see all the new entertainment excellent line up etc …..and keep booking those tickets
If you would like to ring or email about concessions or family rates please do call we wouldnt want any of you not to be able to come

Looking forward to seeing you all soon for a chilled relaxed few days!

Best regards Loobs and Pete.
www.makerfestival.co.uk

Boot Sales!!!

June 13th, 2008

Every Sunday 12 noon - 4.00pm, except last Sunday in July and first two Sundays in August, which includes the Maker Festival weekend. Bar open. Got something to sell why not come and join the maker booties!

The View No. 4

June 13th, 2008

There’s a new issue of The View out No.4 Click Here to view it.

Sat 3rd May Energy Room Tru’Steppaz

April 29th, 2008
Maker Music And Arts Presents
DJ’s Making funky tunes and good vibes PLUS Live music from TRU’STEPPAZ

THIS SATURDAY (3rd MAY):

ENERGY ROOM ,
RANDOM ARMS ,
MAKER HEIGHTS!

FROM 8.30 TIL LATE

£3 members / £5 non-members

See you there!!!