Forum Topic

The Old Library.

Doug Carnegie has written an engaging update on this final attempt to keep the Old Library for community use. Do see the front page. We hope that there will be space for all sections of the community and it will be good to have your thoughts here on the forum. Sign up as a supporter the website: www.actonartsproject.com.

Maire Lowe ● 2649d27 Comments

Thank you James. There was some useful information supplied by Councillor Bell and Councillor Mason. We are just waiting for Council approved text of the answers to our questions and will publish. Thanks to those hardy residents who came to the public gallery to support us. We appreciate you.

Maire Lowe ● 2602d

How did you get on Marie?

James Feth ● 2603d

Reminder that we will be asking questions at Full Council this evening at 7.00 pm. Interested? Come join us in the public gallery and hear the answers.

Maire Lowe ● 2603d

We will be formally asking  two questionson the status of the Acton Arts project bid for the Old Library. 18th December Full Council 7.00 pm. Come listen to Council response from the public gallery.

Maire Lowe ● 2613d

Well Rosco every Councillor and Officer we've asked for help has been great. We cant expect their formal backing until our bid has been carefully examined. In the meantime we want to build local support. I guess most of you have already signed up as supporters, but may I ask you to get some more signatures from family and friends who would love a local cinema but don't use social media much. Everyone welcome.

Maire Lowe ● 2627d

I gotta say I just do not understand why you all seem to be constantly pushing stuff uphill when we have a so-called "Socialist" Administration in control at LBE?Any half decent Administration with their so-called "credentials" should be helping and fully behind this Community Project, even so far as not accepting tenders and simply working with you to make the Project viable.  The Council's past actions and attitudes to date gives me great cause for concern you may get turned over.I have said it many times, do not trust this Council, they speak with forked tongue.  Remember, there's a huge swag of £££££s in this for ole "Two Houses, Two Jobs, Secret Council Loan, 'Tory Cuts!' " and his Mob.

Rosco White ● 2629d

Thank you to everybody who came to the meeting last night. About 200 of you, with plenty of good questions and discussion. All very good humoured too. We have asked the Council for a definitive statement on the shifting time lines for disposal of the Old Library, and will post the response when we receive it. You help the project by signing up as a supporter at www.actonartsproject.com and encouraging friends and family to do the same. Do post questions and comments. Healthy debate is welcome.

Maire Lowe ● 2629d

Gentle reminder that the public meeting to discuss the community bid for the Old Library is tonight. Kick off is the CCA AGM at 7.00 pm. There will be refreshments. Then Peter Haylock the new Executive Principal of the Ark Acton Academy will speak. We should be able to begin the presentation on the community bid for the Old Library at about 7.45 pm. Hope to see many of you there.Lots of time for discussion. If you could sign up as a supporter at www.actonartsproject.com that would be very helpful.

Maire Lowe ● 2630d

I think the plan is to have someone at EA to redirect people if necessary.

Chris Hurley ● 2635d

Everyone is looking forward to a good discussion on disposal of the Old Library and, judging by the on line forums,people are curious about the changes at the schoo l too. With your long exoerience you will know why we thought people wouldn't be able to spare more than one evening for a public meeting. If we run out of time we will make it uo. I'm more concerned we won't have all the answers.  Thank you for your support. Everyone olease join Pete at www.actonartsproject.com. Can't do it without you. Only takes a minute. And if you could mention the meeting to friends and neighbours who don't use social media, that would be very helpful.

Maire Lowe ● 2636d

Although the CCA AGM part starts at 7 and is due to finish at the same time (7:30) that the meeting Everyone Active was due to start. So as long as there is a notice (or person at door/desk) at EA to redirect people then it should mean that they arrive at the church hall just as CCA AGM finishes or even just after Ark speaker finishes if they are a bit late or stopped off to get a Big Mac on the way.

Paul Webster ● 2636d

Total pain changing the venue, as I've emailed our residents with the meeting at Everyone active. Also not having all the evening for the Arts project is a bit odd for people not involved with CCA or ARK academies.

Pete Grist ● 2636d

Just to be clear - the first half hour from 7-7.30 is for CCA members only - it is our AGM. Of course, you are welcome to join up. Otherwise the open part of the meeting is from 7.30pm. Thanks

Chris Hurley ● 2637d

Be great to see you at the public meeting. To be frank, if you don't support the bid because you think its a good thing for Acton, why would the Council? Really hoping for a good turnout. Our MP hopes to be there unless there is a vote.If you can't attend, then do sign up as a supporter. Www.actonartsproject.com. Only takes a minute.

Maire Lowe ● 2638d

Great news that this is progressing. Sincerely hope council supports

James Feth ● 2638d

The poster for the public meeting has gone out. 21st. November from 7.00 pm at St. Mary's church hall. Opposite Morrison's. The presentation on the Old Library bids will be preceded by the Executive Principal of Ark Acton academy talking about the changes to the school. Should be a  interesting evening. Do come along. And if you can't, do sign up as a supporter. Www.actonartsforum.com. Only takes a minute.

Maire Lowe ● 2638d

A  nursery on site sounds an excellent idea...Its still the Lexi that grips me though. Such a good model for something in the community too.

Sara Nathan ● 2641d

We hope for a cinema,a restaurant and bar,and a performance space on the ground floor. Yesterday we were approached by a nursery and a school interested in leasing the first floor.  Have you signed up as a supporter? Www.actonartsproject.com is the address. Only takes a minute. We have an a ambitious goal of 10,000 supporters who will ensure that the building is retained for community use. The more of us the better. Can't do without you.

Maire Lowe ● 2643d

Agree James well said.

John Kennedy ● 2643d

Hopefully they’ll be a cinema and nice bar, like The Lexy. If it just turns into some kind of happy-clapping community centre that runs zumba and interpretive dance classes for the mumsnet mafia then no thanks.

James Moore ● 2643d

I would love this to happen.  However, two excellent restaurants (Genuine and Tarantella) have come and gone in the last year or so).  Residents would need to support a restaurant in the Library a great deal more than they did these.

Gill Hothersall ● 2644d

Success with this would obviously go a very long way towards improving and upgrading Acton.  I wish everyone involved, and all motivated and supportive residents the very best of "Good Luck".In all honesty, my only concern would be our lovely Council, do you trust them?I thought not.  :-)

Rosco White ● 2644d

The future of Acton Old Library’s could rest in your hands. The listed building (which was originally gifted to the community by Victorian Philanthropist, Passmore Edwards) is back on the market after a deal with Curzon to develop it into a cinema, failed and left the building empty and unused for the last 5 years! A group of near 30 local trustees and advisers have come together to put forward a bid to takeover the regeneration of the landmark building and to reclaim it for the W3community! The Acton Arts Project would see the building bought by a sympathetic developer in partnership with the community to transform it into a state-of-the-art cinema and cafe-restaurant in a corner of Acton crying out for regeneration. There will be other bids and the council will decide which bid wins. The Acton Arts Project would be fantastic for Acton and your support could help make it happen. How you can help? Spread the word, sign up to the mailing list at actonartsproject.com and come along to the public meeting to hear all the bids at Everyone Active on the High Street, 7.30 pm November 21st.

Cai Janie Rees ● 2644d

Signed up But didn't get reply yet

John Kennedy ● 2647d

Thanks Cathy. 42 new supporters last week.And several offers of practical help. Acton is a greatplace. Thank you so much. To quote my neighbour on Acton mums for mums. 'There is a great community buzz about at the moment. An arts centre would make a real difference to the High Street. See www.actonartsproject.com.

Maire Lowe ● 2648d

Yes - bring it on!! We all need to get behind this initiative.

Cathy Johns ● 2649d

Isn't there supposed to be a decision about now?Can't think what other community use would be better suited to this building built for the community in the heart of Acton - and LOVE the idea of having a branch of the Lexi cinema on our doorstep.

Sara Nathan ● 2649d