On the day that London Mayor Boris Johnson joined almost everyone else in London and beyond and came down in support of the Long Live Southbank campaign and against the arrogant cultural vandalism that threatens an art space loved by all (something that’s been well documented and supported via these pages over the last year), we pass on this rather heartening film…
LONG LIVE SOUTHBANK say “One week ago 100’s of people – mostly young people – came together in a united stand of Cultural Preservation and made the journey from Southbank to Lambeth Town Hall to deliver a record-breaking number of objections to the potential destruction of one of London’s most revered spaces.
As the Mayor of London speaks up in support of the preservation campaign, will the Southbank Centre finally listen to – and try to understand – the vibrant diverse community right on their doorstep – as they are the future of the ever-evolving expression of arts and culture.”
Film by Thomas Davis
Meanwhile MIDLAKE…
KEXP, a rather fine radio station over there in in (flannel) Seattle that’s always worth your ear, just posted up a new session from Midlake; “Watch a hauntingly-beautiful in-studio session from Bella Union‘s MIDLAKE, performing live on The Midday Show on KEXP! More videos from this set on the KEXP Blog” The Denton, Texas band released a rather fine new album at the end of last year, should have mentioned the beautifully mellow subtle flow of Antiphon at the time. We always have time for Midlake around these parts
And so KEXP have furnished us with an excuse to re-visit late last year….
Press Release from the LONG LIVE SOUTHBANK campaign
Mayor of London Boris Johnson speaks out in support of preserving London’s iconic skate spot
Long Live Southbank is delighted by Boris Johnson’s intervention, as London Mayor, to add his voice to the campaign to preserve the Southbank Undercroft skate spot. The Mayor has indicated that the Southbank Centre’s Festival Wing redevelopment should not be at the detriment of the undercroft skate spot, which he stated should be retained in its current position. Given his ability to direct refusal of the application were the Southbank Centre to continue with it, this is a huge and decisive step in maintaining one of London’s most iconic cultural landmarks.
The Mayor’s statement comes one week after hundreds of skateboarders made the journey from Southbank to Lambeth Town Hall to deliver a record-breaking 27,286 objections to the Southbank Centres controversial Festival Wing plans, in a bid to halt what has become the most unpopular planning application in UK history.
The Mayor said:
“”The skate park is the epicentre of UK skateboarding and is part of the cultural fabric of London.
“This much-loved community space has been used by thousands of young people over the years.
“It attracts tourists from across the world and undoubtedly adds to the vibrancy of the area – it helps to make London the great city it is”
For over 40 years skateboarders have been a resident community at London’s Southbank, creating one of the most recognised creative spaces along the Thames. Now also used by other forms of street culture such as BMXers and graffiti artists, it is internationally renowned, and the oldest surviving skate spot in the world.
In April this year the Southbank Centre, which administrates the site, announced a redevelopment plan which would see the skate space turned into commercial retail units. Since the announcement over 67,000 people signed a petition against the destruction of this iconic landmark, and over 100,000 people have joined campaign group Long Live Southbank to commit their support for its preservation.
LLSB now call on the Southbank Centre to:
– Withdraw its current planning applications for the Festival Wing and a proposed “replacement” skateboarding area under Hungerford Bridge
– Work with LLSB and all other users of the undercroft to guarantee now its longterm future.
– Withdraw its challenge to Lambeth Council’s designation of the undercroft as an asset of community value
– Withdraw its resistance to LLSB’s claim that the undercoft be registered as a village green, so as to protect it for future generations
– Withdraw its threat that it would close the undercroft regardless of the Festival Wing scheme
END
….
.
Press Release: Mayor of London Boris Johnson speaks out in support of preserving London’s iconic skate spot
Long Live Southbank is delighted by Boris Johnson’s intervention, as London Mayor, to add his voice to the campaign to preserve the Southbank Undercroft skate spot. The Mayor has indicated that the Southbank Centre’s Festival Wing redevelopment should not be at the detriment of the undercroft skate spot, which he stated should be retained in its current position. Given his ability to direct refusal of the application were the Southbank Centre to continue with it, this is a huge and decisive step in maintaining one of London’s most iconic cultural landmarks.
The Mayor’s statement comes one week after hundreds of skateboarders made the journey from Southbank to Lambeth Town Hall to deliver a record-breaking 27,286 objections to the Southbank Centres controversial Festival Wing plans, in a bid to halt what has become the most unpopular planning application in UK history.
The Mayor said:
“”The skate park is the epicentre of UK skateboarding and is part of the cultural fabric of London.
“This much-loved community space has been used by thousands of young people over the years.
“It attracts tourists from across the world and undoubtedly adds to the vibrancy of the area – it helps to make London the great city it is”
For over 40 years skateboarders have been a resident community at London’s Southbank, creating one of the most recognised creative spaces along the Thames. Now also used by other forms of street culture such as BMXers and graffiti artists, it is internationally renowned, and the oldest surviving skate spot in the world.
In April this year the Southbank Centre, which administrates the site, announced a redevelopment plan which would see the skate space turned into commercial retail units. Since the announcement over 67,000 people signed a petition against the destruction of this iconic landmark, and over 100,000 people have joined campaign group Long Live Southbank to commit their support for its preservation.
LLSB now call on the Southbank Centre to:
– Withdraw its current planning applications for the Festival Wing and a proposed “replacement” skateboarding area under Hungerford Bridge
– Work with LLSB and all other users of the undercroft to guarantee now its longterm future.
– Withdraw its challenge to Lambeth Council’s designation of the undercroft as an asset of community value
– Withdraw its resistance to LLSB’s claim that the undercoft be registered as a village green, so as to protect it for future generations
– Withdraw its threat that it would close the undercroft regardless of the Festival Wing scheme
END
Press Release: Mayor of London Boris Johnson speaks out in support of preserving London’s iconic skate spot
Long Live Southbank is delighted by Boris Johnson’s intervention, as London Mayor, to add his voice to the campaign to preserve the Southbank Undercroft skate spot. The Mayor has indicated that the Southbank Centre’s Festival Wing redevelopment should not be at the detriment of the undercroft skate spot, which he stated should be retained in its current position. Given his ability to direct refusal of the application were the Southbank Centre to continue with it, this is a huge and decisive step in maintaining one of London’s most iconic cultural landmarks.
The Mayor’s statement comes one week after hundreds of skateboarders made the journey from Southbank to Lambeth Town Hall to deliver a record-breaking 27,286 objections to the Southbank Centres controversial Festival Wing plans, in a bid to halt what has become the most unpopular planning application in UK history.
The Mayor said:
“”The skate park is the epicentre of UK skateboarding and is part of the cultural fabric of London.
“This much-loved community space has been used by thousands of young people over the years.
“It attracts tourists from across the world and undoubtedly adds to the vibrancy of the area – it helps to make London the great city it is”
For over 40 years skateboarders have been a resident community at London’s Southbank, creating one of the most recognised creative spaces along the Thames. Now also used by other forms of street culture such as BMXers and graffiti artists, it is internationally renowned, and the oldest surviving skate spot in the world.
In April this year the Southbank Centre, which administrates the site, announced a redevelopment plan which would see the skate space turned into commercial retail units. Since the announcement over 67,000 people signed a petition against the destruction of this iconic landmark, and over 100,000 people have joined campaign group Long Live Southbank to commit their support for its preservation.
LLSB now call on the Southbank Centre to:
– Withdraw its current planning applications for the Festival Wing and a proposed “replacement” skateboarding area under Hungerford Bridge
– Work with LLSB and all other users of the undercroft to guarantee now its longterm future.
– Withdraw its challenge to Lambeth Council’s designation of the undercroft as an asset of community value
– Withdraw its resistance to LLSB’s claim that the undercoft be registered as a village green, so as to protect it for future generations
– Withdraw its threat that it would close the undercroft regardless of the Festival Wing scheme
END
Pingback: ORGAN THING OF THE DAY: A STATEMENT FROM THE LONG LIVE SOUTHBANK campaign | THE ORGAN
Pingback: ORGAN THING: Peace breaks out between the Southbank Centre and Long Live Southbank campaign… | THE ORGAN