We're In!
The pictures tell the story of our building. I say 'our' because I feel fiercely invested in this site, I guess working in a place, and loving working in that place can do that, particularly when the place was as brilliant as Burnholme Community College, and when a person is there for 20 years roots go down a long way. It was a happy school and we fought hard to keep it open as we did not want it to close, and although the school did finally shut its doors June 2014, the strength and passion of the community shone through during our campaign, and York Council committed to developing the building into a new community centre.
This Monday, nearly 4 years to the exact day that the school closed, Tang Hall SMART CIC opens for its usual delivery (SoundSMART and Inclusive Rock School) but rather than 'making do' in the not-really-fit-for purpose former CD block, we are, for the first time, operating in the fabulous new Centre. This is a huge thing for us .... myself, the staff, and all our people .... those that come now to our different provisions, and those who have supported at different times over the last 4 years. Countless former pupils, parents, residents have helped Tang Hall SMART along its way - whether it was by attending a club, helping at a gig, handing out leaflets, giving us a thumbs up on Facebook, donating stuff .... the positivity and support from the locality and York generally has been amazing. Even last week - 50+ adults came to help from GoodGym York, rather than watching England play Russia, they were prepared to turn out for us in our hour of need and carry everything across! I am very aware that we have benefited from the kindness, time, energy and support of many others!
It is a wonderful building. It feels happy (an echo of the school remains) - and it is modern, airy, light and luxurious. Tang Hall SMART will thrive in this space. And we will return the trust invested in us, by continuing to do what we do best, use music (and now the wider arts) to bring people together, as a vehicle for well being, and as something to give a life purpose.
York Explore opened up at The Centre yesterday. I was up at the crack of dawn on BBC radio York to tell Juanita and all the listeners about it ( you can listen to this for the next month at this link if you are interested ... 70 minutes into broadcast). Our community choir performed - which seemed fitting to me ... after all we have used to music to document every stage of this journey, from the concert to mark the school closure - to the Our Big Gig which marked Tang Hall SMART opening in July 2014, to Regeneration( our festival in 2016 which signposted the main school buildings shutting and being demolished and the new build starting) - and although we will be holding our summer concert on 7th July to say a proper 'hello' ... there was personal significance for me in doing a little set yesterday which was the first day of the new building being open.
So I am still here ... Tang Hall SMART is still here ... and well, the building ... that is still here too! Transformed in many ways, but its the same assembly hall (but wow - what a makeover) - same vibe ... something to shout about!!"
