Public statement, August 2009

The next chapter at the Workhouse

After what many have said was the best Workhouse festival yet, it has been disappointing for the organisers to realise that fewer ticket sales this year means that the event actually made a small loss. Many lessons have been learnt, and the outcome is the feeling that scaling the event down to perhaps 3,500 -4,000 people instead of the 5,000 planned for would make the event easier to manage, have much less of an impact on the land and surrounding community and be less financially risky.

So whilst the festival is planning ahead and learning its lessons, the Workhouse project finds itself in a tight financial position, as to date the festival has been by far its most significant income. Emergency short term measures have included laying off the paid staff and suspending some of the planned events while we reschedule and restructure. It has been a tough few weeks working out the best options and coming up with a new business plan, but with support from the Ecology building society, much volunteer time and with a new voluntary management team in place it is time to look ahead and take stock of accomplishments so far.

In terms of the building we now have the first of 5 potential flats occupied and are working on finishing the rest, there are now 10 workshop tenants in place and paying rent, and work renovating the old kitchen and more storage space is well underway. Establishing a core income from tenants and users of the building is essential for the long term sustainability of the project and this is now well underway.

Aside from the music, film and drama events programme over the last year the Workhouse has hosted a series of courses and workshops. These have mainly been on environmental themes like permaculture and organic growing and practical crafts like working with local coppice wood to make structures like yurts and timber frames, with more planned in the near future. All this ‘Green’ activity has attracted the attention of a BBC Wales production company, who are making a 6 part documentary about green lifestyles and this is being filmed at the Workhouse during August, for broadcast in November. So look forward to seeing us on the Telly in what we hope will be a series that will generate interest in our work here and attract more attention to the project

The month of August culminates with our first ever Green-fayre, which is an informal weekend of crafts and arts workshops, with folk music and ceilidh dancing. www.green-fayre.org.

The Workhouse gallery now has the facilities to open a small coffee shop/ bar in order to offer refreshments to public visiting the exhibitions and the lovely garden of reflection, another successful volunteer project.

So if you haven’t been down in a while, its time to come and visit, there are lots of ways to support the project, our membership scheme is only £1 a month, there is the 200 club, and all sorts of events and courses to come and try out. Come to the Open Doors Weekend 19th and 20th September to find out more. Join in the Sponsored Walk on 27th September or sponsor someone else.

We hold regular volunteer days on Tuesdays and there are always opportunities for keen people to get involved.
Stop press! Fundraiser event this Saturday, 22 August 'Rahm-a-lam–a-ding-dong'
From 2.00 pm, to 1 am, BBQ, bar, and top local Deejay's. all for £3

See you there!

www.llanfyllinworkhouse.org
www.workhousefestival.co.uk
www.green-fayre.org

for more information on our courses programme visit:
www.sector39.co.uk

statement written by steve@39internet.co.uk
on behalf of the Llanfyllin Workhouse project