Just thought I'd post this as traffic is light on Bombast. This is an
appeal on behalf of the Witchwood live music venue in Ashton-Under-Lyne
UK. This venue is needlessly threatened with closure as a redevelopment
scheme by the local council seems hell bent on destroying anything
that's good about that area of Ashton.

Some of you will have been to see gigs there and most will remember some
of my reviews of Fall gigs. The Witchwood also plays a major role in
nurturing new talent, giving young bands a chance - when few other
places would. Oasis, Ash, Cold Play, The Coral and many more bands have
played the venue in their early days. I remember seeing a brilliant JJ72
around 3 years ago at the Witchwood - it was a great night. Regardless
of where you live, this is the type of grass roots venue that is
essential to the music scene. It must be better than what will happen in
the proposed development. The planners idea of live music will probably
be a wine bar karaoke.

There is a chance that the plans can be changed and the area redeveloped
AROUND the Witchwood, but it needs people that are interested in live
music to voice their support for the venue.

There is something that we all can do.

Please take a little of your time to read the Press Release below.
Please log onto the Witchwood site and sign the e-petition.
Please email the local council(particlurary councillor Quinn) and let
them know that you support live music.

Email support from other UK areas and around the world will hopefully
strengthen the Witchwood's case for survival. This must be done quickly
as the deadline for appeal is Thursday 29 April.

This is(at the moment) a polite protest so please do not send nasty or
abusive emails because that will work against the venues survival.

I have no connection with this venue, other than as a customer who
appreciates the hard work that the team at the Witchwood has undertaken
to make this such a unique venue.

Lets see if we can change the future and save this historic venue.
----

PRESS RELEASE: 24-04-04

Due to planned re-development for the Henry Square area of Ashton by Ask
Property Development, a notice of Compulsory Purchase Order has been
served on The Witchwood. Despite previous assurances that this award
winning live music venue would be able to be included in the new scheme,
our future remains very uncertain. We are lodging an objection to try to
save The Witchwood. We agree that the area desperately needs
regeneration, but believe that we can continue to offer an important
service and facility to all in the area, both old and new.

The Witchwood works hard to support the local live music scene as well
as being a much loved venue on the national circuit. We have hundreds of
loyal regular customers of all types and ages and are an important part
of the local nightlife for the town. We offer a unique variety of
entertainment, great real ales, excellent service and a safe, friendly
environment.  Attracting customers from around the world and right
across the country, we benefit other businesses in Ashton by attracting
visitors into the town. There seems no reasonable point to destroying
what has taken so many years to build up.

We passionately believe that the demise of The Witchwood would be a
terrible loss to all our customers and bands, particularly as other
local buildings are being incorporated into the scheme, and we could
also be included. We are proud of our home-town, our history and our
culture, and want to remain for many years to come.

Anyone who wants to support our cause can help in a number of ways:
visit the forum pages on our website at
www.thewitchwood.co.uk
to sign our e-mail petition
or post your comments to support the objection, to
Councillor Kieran Quinn
c/o 161 Droylsden Rd, Audenshaw, M34 5ZT or
e-mail: kieran.quinn@... , or
tel: 0161 292 6493

LETS MAKE SOME NOISE !!! PLEASE FORWARD THIS E-MAIL ONTO ANY OTHERS IN
YOUR ADDRESS BOOK WHO YOU THINK MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE LOSS OF ANOTHER
LIVE MUSIC VENUE...   
------
Thanks for listening
--
Graydon