News
Official opening!
Date: 22/10/2010
PAVILION PACKED FOR OFFICIAL OPENING
The Linklater Pavilion, Lewes was packed for the Celebration Opening on Saturday, 16th October. Over 240 invited Railway Land Wildlife Trust members and supporters crowded into the upstairs space and the Undercroft below, with the action upstairs relayed to a large screen downstairs and visa versa.
The efforts of the many volunteers who raised the money and worked on the actual building were recognised and Dr Brenda Boardman, an expert in energy efficiency, delivered a thoughtful and inspiring address.
Eighteen people representing local government, Norman Baker, MP for Lewes, donors and RLWT members lined up to cut the yellow ribbon after patron Lord Denis Healey named the building. The Pavilion is named after the late Peter Linklater who did so much to save much of Lewes as we know it today.
The River, a piece from the new Phoenix Cantata was performed by the composer Helen Glavin, the conductor John Hancorn and three young singers.
An amazing Cycling Orchestra then made a dramatic entrance cycling directly into the Undercroft with their instruments strapped onto their cycles. The Ouse Angels choir turned out in force and filled the Undercroft with their wonderfully enthusiastic singing. Transition Town Lewes organised the bar.
The opening marks the culmination of 10 years of planning and fundraising by the Trustees led by Dr John Parry, founder sponsors the Mettyear Charitable Trust who gave £240,700, Viridor Credits donated £270,000 whilst members and supporters of the RLWT raised a further £160,000 including a £40,000 grant for green energy from the National Lottery.
Dr John Parry, Sussex Eco champion 2010, was thanked by RLWT trustees for his huge enthusiasm and energy as the driving force in bringing the Linklater Pavilion from a dream to a reality. Said Dr Parry, ’This has been a truly community effort involving many people over several years and we are confident that this innovative building will promote debate and actions concerning a host of environmental concerns and triumphs – it’s a beacon, a rallying point, a centre of exploration and hope.’
The Linklater Pavilion will provide an exciting and stimulating venue for environmental learning with schools and other groups. The Sussex Wildlife Trust will base two of their staff 5 days a week in the new building and the Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects at the University of Sussex are providing support and expertise to establish a living beehive next Spring in one of the first floor walls.
A group of adults with learning disabilities, supported by East Sussex County Council Adult Social Care, have had a long and fruitful relationship with L RLWT and a moving film of their activities with John Parry and their involvement in decision making about the Pavilion was shown at the Celebration Opening. They will be based at the Linklater Pavilion every Tuesday and Thursday.
Due to continuing rock wall cladding work on the outside and health and safety issues, the Pavilion will not be open to the general public until the Spring. Invited groups will, however, start to use the building from mid October and an art exhibition called ‘Ecology into Art’ by Lil Tudor-Craig will be open to the public: 14th - 28th November 2010 10 - 4 daily.
Photos by Hugh Fox
The Linklater Pavilion, Lewes was packed for the Celebration Opening on Saturday, 16th October. Over 240 invited Railway Land Wildlife Trust members and supporters crowded into the upstairs space and the Undercroft below, with the action upstairs relayed to a large screen downstairs and visa versa.
The efforts of the many volunteers who raised the money and worked on the actual building were recognised and Dr Brenda Boardman, an expert in energy efficiency, delivered a thoughtful and inspiring address.
Eighteen people representing local government, Norman Baker, MP for Lewes, donors and RLWT members lined up to cut the yellow ribbon after patron Lord Denis Healey named the building. The Pavilion is named after the late Peter Linklater who did so much to save much of Lewes as we know it today.
The River, a piece from the new Phoenix Cantata was performed by the composer Helen Glavin, the conductor John Hancorn and three young singers.
An amazing Cycling Orchestra then made a dramatic entrance cycling directly into the Undercroft with their instruments strapped onto their cycles. The Ouse Angels choir turned out in force and filled the Undercroft with their wonderfully enthusiastic singing. Transition Town Lewes organised the bar.
The opening marks the culmination of 10 years of planning and fundraising by the Trustees led by Dr John Parry, founder sponsors the Mettyear Charitable Trust who gave £240,700, Viridor Credits donated £270,000 whilst members and supporters of the RLWT raised a further £160,000 including a £40,000 grant for green energy from the National Lottery.
Dr John Parry, Sussex Eco champion 2010, was thanked by RLWT trustees for his huge enthusiasm and energy as the driving force in bringing the Linklater Pavilion from a dream to a reality. Said Dr Parry, ’This has been a truly community effort involving many people over several years and we are confident that this innovative building will promote debate and actions concerning a host of environmental concerns and triumphs – it’s a beacon, a rallying point, a centre of exploration and hope.’
The Linklater Pavilion will provide an exciting and stimulating venue for environmental learning with schools and other groups. The Sussex Wildlife Trust will base two of their staff 5 days a week in the new building and the Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects at the University of Sussex are providing support and expertise to establish a living beehive next Spring in one of the first floor walls.
A group of adults with learning disabilities, supported by East Sussex County Council Adult Social Care, have had a long and fruitful relationship with L RLWT and a moving film of their activities with John Parry and their involvement in decision making about the Pavilion was shown at the Celebration Opening. They will be based at the Linklater Pavilion every Tuesday and Thursday.
Due to continuing rock wall cladding work on the outside and health and safety issues, the Pavilion will not be open to the general public until the Spring. Invited groups will, however, start to use the building from mid October and an art exhibition called ‘Ecology into Art’ by Lil Tudor-Craig will be open to the public: 14th - 28th November 2010 10 - 4 daily.
Photos by Hugh Fox
Peter Mettyear names the Mettyear room with John Parry.
Perrformerrs of 'The River' composed by Helen Glavin.
The Cycling Orchestra
The Ouse Angels