St Georges Hall Forced To Close - Yorkshire Area Venue

[JANUARYMAN]

Just heard on the Look North news that all events for at least the rest of this year are being re-arranged due to crumbling plaster work. Maybe this is the push we need to find a larger more suitable venue for the prestigious Yorkshire Area. I went to the Lancashire Area earlier this year with all sections competing on the same day in the Winter Gardens. It was fantastic and put the Yorkshire Area to shame.

Not sure if Tristan Encounters is a very loud piece, but I certainly don't fancy bringing the house down!

Any thoughts?

Dave Horan
Hepworth

 

[ploughboy]

apart from the lack of warm up facilities i Like the Yorkshire Area format, No matter which section you're in, the opposite day you can spend listening and drinking with friends in other sections, the stage is fine and the hall about the right size (not empty for the 4th section).

On the other hand if they move it to Leeds, I can get a bus home and it'll save me a fortune in taxi's!

 

[P. Sanderson]

Peggy Tomlinson has been assured that St Geoges hall will be ready for the Yorks area contest.

As far as other venues are concerned. a few years ago investigations were made in to looking for a new venue.

These showed that there is no other hall in the Yorkshire area that could accomodate the contest.

The only other suitable venues have been taken away from Yorkshire and given to the Northern Area. Even Sheffield City Hall is so expensive that no band could afford the entry fee which such a venue would require.

Even then there are no decent Changing or storage areas, and parking in the area for coaches (and cars) is non existant now.

 

[yorkyboy]

What about Huddersfield Town Hall? Loads of rooms for warming up and would be easy to organise a major contest there

 

[asteria]

As one of my local venues when I was growing up I feel slightly attached to St George’s Hall.

But on the other hand the large chunks of pink paint falling off the ceiling during the areas last year were rather distracting!

 

[Hilary Mateer]

yorkyboy said

What about Huddersfield Town Hall? Loads of rooms for warming up and would be easy to organise a major contest there

I agree. The Pogson Bray contest is held there and it always seems to go well. Especially when my band wins (Oughtibridge at the time)
My daughters wind band has also played at several contests there.
Not tested the drinking facilities out though as I have always been driving :cry:

 

[ploughboy]

I'm glad it safe at St. George's but I'm amazed there's no where else in yorkshire that suitable. With such towns as Sheffield/Leeds/Huddersfield/Wakefield/Bradford/Halifax (outside like Brassed Off!!)/Hull, the list goes on!!!!!!

 

[P. Sanderson]

I agree Huddersfield would make a great venue but once again you would come up against the parking problem.

Hull by the way is classed as being in the Northern Area, as are Whitby, Scarborough, Bridlington, York etc.

There is one Northern area band that has to pass through Bradford on its way to the Northern area contest at Darlington.

 

[yorkyboy]

I agree Huddersfield would make a great venue but once again you would come up against the parking problem.

Hull by the way is classed as being in the Northern Area, as are Whitby, Scarborough, Bridlington, York etc.

There is one Northern area band that has to pass through Bradford on its way to the Northern area contest at Darlington.

Parking problem?? There is a multi storey carpark next to the town hall as well as the new multi storey that has been built in conjunction with the new shopping centre which is only 5 mins walk away!

 

[PeterBale]

What about facilities for coaches and unloading etc?

 

[yorkyboy]

What about facilities for coaches and unloading etc?

No problems there is good access next to the hall for coaches unloading and there is a big carpark just on the top side of town where the coaches could park up

 

[yorkyboy]

plus the acoustic is a damn site better than bradford - in my opinion

 

[ploughboy]

lets face it we're not a yorkshire Area anymore, We're a West and South yorkshire, With Northern bands going else where. If you're in yorkshire why not compete in the Area final's here?
I'v heard the Multi-story is doomed (maybe just a rumor) That wouldn't help parking in Hudds. but it is a good hall, the pogson bray there is always well run and has an easy organised feel about it!

 

[Suz]

Does anyone have any idea who I can contact to confirm this??? BTM are booked for the Christmas concert with Bradford Choral Society on the 20th December :?: :?: :?:

 

[iancwilx]

Huddersfield Town Hall is a brilliant venue for B.Band contests.
B&R have held their celebrity massed Band Concerts there for years.
The acoustics are excellent, which is more than can be said for Leeds Town Hall which has an atrocious "Ring" even after expensive efforts to combat the problem.
In fact, for many years, (Pre 1st Section) the Champ & 3rd Section were held at St Georges in Bradford, and the 2nd and 4th at Huddersfield.
More seriously - there is a great "Banders" pub called "The County Hotel" just over the road from Hudds T.H. and another just around the corner called "The Albert" - other hostelries abound - Thirsty banders are
extremely well catered for.
If Bradford St.Georges Hall were unavailable,IMHO, Hudds would be a very good home for the Yorkshire Areas (West and South !!), - After all, St G's is only 6 miles from were I am typing this - Hudds'd is 25 miles.
Seriously, both Halls are excellent.
(Parking wise - I normally park myself in the County Hotel !!!!!)

 

[yorkyboy]

Lots of great points there Ian. The rumour about the multi storey is one that has been going about however I was told that they are doing reconstruction work to correct the problems.
The facilities at the Town Hall would be spot on and there is plenty of rooms to have a proper warm up room. Seven ( i think) of the championship section bands all come from within 10 miles of Huddersfield as well!

Even if they overlook the Town Hall for this contest I have felt for a long time that there should be a major contest held (pogson bray is ok but not a 'big' contest) at the town hall. Unfortunatly there does not seem to be the desire from the people in the right places to really go for it.

 

[P. Sanderson]

Here is a copy of the official press release from St Georges

St George's Hall closed until the New Year. - 29/09/03

Bradford’s St George’s Hall will be closed until the New Year while essential safety work is carried out.

Cracks appeared in the ornate plasterwork ceiling of the 150-year-old building prompting Council bosses to shut the Hall last week so a full assessment could be carried out.

Following that it has now been decided to postpone all events for the rest of the year while urgent repair work takes place.

Some of the top shows, which will have to be re-arranged, include Def Leppard; Status Quo; Michael Ball; Ken Dodd; Jools Holland and The Saw Doctors.

The Hall closed a week ago for specialists to carry out a full assessment of the situation and an expert ceiling company will now be called in to repair the damaged plaster.

First scaffolding needs to be erected in the 80-foot high auditorium. That will take at least two weeks and the ceiling repairs will take a further four to six weeks.

Jane Glaister, Bradford Council’s Director of Arts, Heritage and Leisure, said: “We are sorry we have to disappoint people by re-arranging shows but public safety must come first.

“We are working with promoters to find alternative venues in the district, where appropriate, and the Hall should re-open with a Halle concert on January 4.

“Anyone who has tickets for shows between now and then will be contacted by phone, letter or e-mail and offered a full refund or an alternative date at another venue. There is no need to contact us.”

Coun Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for the Environment, said: “St George’s Hall is a marvellous building but it is 150 years old. We have decided to do this work before the situation gets any worse and it becomes unsafe. The Hall is part of the district’s heritage and we want to preserve it so it can be enjoyed by the people of the district for many more years to come.”

St George’s Hall underwent a £2 million refurbishment in 1984 when front of house areas were improved, the stage was extended and reinforced and toilets for the disabled were installed. Since then regular maintenance has been carried out.

The box office and the open house for senior citizens will not be affected as work is only being done in the main auditorium.


For more information contact the Stage Manager who's address is on
www.bradford-theatres.gov.uk

 

[Rambo Chick]

Georges

As one of my local venues when I was growing up I feel slightly attached to St George’s Hall.

But on the other hand the large chunks of pink paint falling off the ceiling during the areas last year were rather distracting!

i totally agree with you. i have always played at yorkshire areas and feel that part of the experience is the hall itself and hope itl be ready in time ie no falling paint chunks!
Carolyn, yorkshire co-op

 

[deave]

Re: Georges

Huds town hall would be great for the Areas!!

For once wouldn't have to worry bout finding the bus, and would be able to crawl to miltonia!!!

deave- sellers&hudsuni

 

[P. Sanderson]

Peggy Tomlinson has been assured that St Georges Hall will re-open on Jan 4th