Peter Hillmam Deputy Leader of Northumberland County Council, and a local councillor for the WardNews Post Leader 1 March 2007
Pantomime society protest after eviction from base.
Members of a pantomime society took the streets on Saturday in protest after they were evicted from their base.
Society members protest against the eviction.
Pantomime society protest after eviction from base
MEMBERS of a pantomime society took the streets on Saturday in protest after they were evicted from their base.
Demonstration organisers said the stand was forced upon them after learning last week they were being ordered out.Seaton Delaval Pantomime Society took to the streets to demand they are allowed to remain at the village's community centre รข€“ its home for 35 years.The eviction arose because of a dispute over lighting equipment.The decision was made by the centre's community association.Over 100 people turned out on Saturday morning to show their support, donning fancy dress and handing out more than 3,000 leaflets to the residents of the area to rally support.The row comes after the society permitted a private contractor, at its own expense, to carry out portable appliance electrical testing to the stage's lighting equipment in order to comply with it's own insurance and to protect its members.Several lights failed the test and were removed.New lights were then installed.Despite the pantomime society's argument that the community association has a duty of care to protect the people who use the building, as well as a legal obligation to ensure the welfare of its contracted staff, the association voted to evict the group.Association chairman, Peter Hillman, defended their actions.He said: "The decision to evict the society did not come just last week, but was a unanimous one made in December."We have had several meetings to resolve the situation but couldn't."The decision comes from a number of incidents over a number of years which has culminated in this decision."Beeping hornsHowever, the weekend's protests looked to have created a glimmer of hope for the society.Chairman Mark Pringle said: "Saturday couldn't have went any better."Everyone showed their support and passers-by were beeping their horns."Although I wish we had never had to do it in the first place, it was a fantastic day and we are hoping this will help us resolve the situation and we can stay where we are."However, Mr Hillman added: "They had a reasonable turnout but I have got to say they handed out leaflets which are full of inaccuracies that I am concerned about."I do believe that we made the right decision which would benefit the community centre and the organisations."It will not satisfy one organisation."Other organisations involved in the centre will flourish because of that."The group has more than 60 members, ranging from eight to 70-years-old and produces shows for around 1,500 members of the community each year.A meeting is due to take place over the next few weeks involving the concerned parties where it is hopeful a final decision can be made.Seaton Delaval Pantomime Society online.
Society members protest against the eviction.
Pantomime society protest after eviction from base
MEMBERS of a pantomime society took the streets on Saturday in protest after they were evicted from their base.
Demonstration organisers said the stand was forced upon them after learning last week they were being ordered out.Seaton Delaval Pantomime Society took to the streets to demand they are allowed to remain at the village's community centre รข€“ its home for 35 years.The eviction arose because of a dispute over lighting equipment.The decision was made by the centre's community association.Over 100 people turned out on Saturday morning to show their support, donning fancy dress and handing out more than 3,000 leaflets to the residents of the area to rally support.The row comes after the society permitted a private contractor, at its own expense, to carry out portable appliance electrical testing to the stage's lighting equipment in order to comply with it's own insurance and to protect its members.Several lights failed the test and were removed.New lights were then installed.Despite the pantomime society's argument that the community association has a duty of care to protect the people who use the building, as well as a legal obligation to ensure the welfare of its contracted staff, the association voted to evict the group.Association chairman, Peter Hillman, defended their actions.He said: "The decision to evict the society did not come just last week, but was a unanimous one made in December."We have had several meetings to resolve the situation but couldn't."The decision comes from a number of incidents over a number of years which has culminated in this decision."Beeping hornsHowever, the weekend's protests looked to have created a glimmer of hope for the society.Chairman Mark Pringle said: "Saturday couldn't have went any better."Everyone showed their support and passers-by were beeping their horns."Although I wish we had never had to do it in the first place, it was a fantastic day and we are hoping this will help us resolve the situation and we can stay where we are."However, Mr Hillman added: "They had a reasonable turnout but I have got to say they handed out leaflets which are full of inaccuracies that I am concerned about."I do believe that we made the right decision which would benefit the community centre and the organisations."It will not satisfy one organisation."Other organisations involved in the centre will flourish because of that."The group has more than 60 members, ranging from eight to 70-years-old and produces shows for around 1,500 members of the community each year.A meeting is due to take place over the next few weeks involving the concerned parties where it is hopeful a final decision can be made.Seaton Delaval Pantomime Society online.
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