Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Shock mention of Alexandra Palace in council publication
In the Borough's libraries, the council is providing free copies of their publication "Haringey" Places Culture and Events (for Summer 2012). I was unprepared for the first line on the first page, entitled "Welcome to Haringey".
Haringey: home of Alexandra Palace—birthplace of public television, ...
It's mentioned again on page 7. It seems that council does now recognize that they've got a genuine asset. After 30 years of hiding the 1936 TV studios and 15 years of trying to flog it, I can still barely believe it. If you can't believe they've said this, go to a local library, such as Stroud Green & Harringay and see for yourself. Next thing you know they'll be offering tours!
Tags for Forum Posts: Alexandra, Palace—birthplace, of, public, television
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Christine Heath on
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Alexandra Palace is rather like the South Bank, where potential was unrealised for over 50 years! I remember going to the National Theatre at the South Bank a few years ago and it was a dreary place with very little in the way of places to eat or drink. Now people flock to the restaurants, theatres, music and events of all sorts. It is on the tourist map and place for Londoners - you see locals at the free music in the National Theatre foyer.
Alexandra Palace and grounds and the spectacular view across London is a fantastic asset and should be developed in a similar way to the South Bank, with a restored theatre, restaurants, boutiques and lots of events of all kinds. The recent queues for Heineken House events during the Olympics is surely evidence of the commercial potential.
Yes there will be more people and traffic, but the need to do something to Alexandra Palace to make it commercially viable instead of a financial drain is surely paramount.
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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on
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Yes. The way that the Heineken House team did a temporary makeover of AP will be analysed with interest. AP has always been a great asset but for many years languished under a misguided council policy of sale, together with some unsatisfactory personnel who have departed the scene.
The future may not necessarily look the vivid orange of Heineken House, but it certainly looks much brighter than a few years ago.
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Billy, having been one of the many critics of AP's management in recent years, I can now say that it AP is under significantly better direction now than say five years ago.
The continuing issue - one that has been shelved or parked rather than resolved - is that of governance.
Because the Trustee is the local council, the council committee styled as the "Trust Board" is comprised of local councillors only. Not all of whom are superbly brilliant. Or particularly interested. Or enthusiastic or knowledgeable. Or without many other commitments.
Our Charity would benefit from the advice and experience of at least some independent Trust "Board" members. i.e. not local politicians, but people with expertise and experience in guiding a Charitable Trust.
There would be a side benefit too.
If the Majority Group did not have built-in control over Board decisions, those decisions would have to be argued out on the basis of merit, in front of politically unaligned Trustees who, more than politicians, would have the interests of our Charitable Trust more to the fore, rather than Council interests, or Majority Group interests.
These things have been much in conflict in the past.
The ultimate goal should be genuine Trust Board, operating as a genuine Charity, with a majority of non-politicians as members. Unfortunately, despite lip-service over the past three years to having independent trustees, there's been no progress.
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