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Theatre of Dreams

The news earlier this month that an exciting plan had emerged for the former Historic Royal Porcelain Site was welcomed by many. The creation of a cultural Quarter where the Faithful City's rich history would be displayed in all  it's glorious splendour, where people could freely romanticise and indulge in the enigmatic exuberance of the Elgar Symphony Orchestra or enjoy a Worcester Live production of Shakespeare in the Park a stones throw away in the Commandery, or get a sense of what it was like of being in the Shoes of Charles II, fleeing from Worcester at the City Gates, after Cromwell's forces attacked from Fort Royal  & Perrywood in 1651 is a welcome relief to the normal  drab shopping centres plans that you get these days.
 Add to this, the fact that the Royal Worcester Porcelain  is one of the oldest brands of English Porcelain in existence today  & that then future American president's Jefferson & Adams Wrote in 1786 standing on top of Fort Royal Park 

"And do Englishmen so soon forget the ground where liberty was fought for? Tell your neighbours and your children that this is holy ground; much holier than that on which your churches stand. All England should come in pilgrimage to this hill once a year"

Few could argue then that the location for the Cultural Quarter in spitting distance of Worcester Cathedral, The Commandery  & Fort Royal is the Ideal location for such a bold initiative. It's high time that the Faithful City displayed it's rich cultural heritage which has lay quietly dormant for years as a best kept secret, and sang about it from the hills.

Yet this venture is not just all about the history it's about the future also, it's about combining our history with the culture & entertainment of  today. A fusion of traditional & modern where, budding new artists, sculptors & craftsmen can ply their trade in the market square, where local Farmers and traders can display their traditional authentic food & drink,  where song & dance will flourish. Where the youth of the City can learn the performing arts & thrive without having to travel to the traditional hotspots of the big cities to cut their teeth.

How will all this made possible you may ask? Through the vision of one man backed by the strategic know how of others the dreams of hundreds of local students will be ignited and a route for them to be accomplished.

It has been Colin Kinnear's Vision for the past 5 years to make his vision a reality. A local businessman & Philanthropist. Patron and founder of the Bransford Trust, chief contributor of Three Choirs Festival and supporter of local events like 'Shakespeare in the park.' A humble man of extraordinary tenacity, resource and love of the performing arts.

 His vision will of course be turned hopefully into reality by his Architecht Vincent Kirk of KKE Architects who will in December present a list of viable options available for the site. 

  Performer & Dancer Katie Love is also working closely with those involved to make her dream of opening a Fame Academy come true. Chris Jaeger is also involved  in setting up a mini theatre and media production school  which will enable not only Katie's Love of Song & Dance to be fulfilled but her yearning to put back into the Community which she took so much from, to train young dancers & performers and then provide a real sustainable platform for their skills to be recognised on the world stage.

It is difficult to stunt such passion, enthusiasm & dedication that those mentioned above have displayed, especially when backed by such deep conviction in their belief to 'give back to the community' that you can not but help to feel that you must be part of this exciting project.

 I am glad to see that this Vision that will bring joy to hundreds if not thousands of people and help the youth interested in the arts to fulfil to their goals is one step closer . Forget Old Trafford , the Cultural Quarter will be the ' True theatre of Dreams' 

I will be openly championing this cause both as Cabinet Member for Safer & Stronger Communities - as well as being the Local Ward Councillor. 

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