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| The problem with hopes, dreams and
ambitions is that if you want to move forward you have to realise them. I'm sure we all have our daydreams where we imagine ourselves the big hero - scoring the winning goal, saving the day or winning the lottery. We are also often guilty of threatening to do things that we know we never will: jacking in the day job; writing a best selling novel; emigrating to another country and so on. Its much harder to identify something difficult but achievable and then seeing it through. Many years ago I was exiled down South and wanted to get back up North. Eventually I got a job offer up North but even then I tried to sabotage it - worrying about uprooting, leaving friends behind, pensions and wage cuts. In the end Mrs Windbag persuaded me that we had to go for it. I was anxious and worried for weeks on end but in the end it was the best thing I ever did. For many years I've heard talk around Wakefield about doing something about the derelict Unity Hall. I never really expected anything to come of it (filing it alongside other white elephants such as the idea of me writing and producing a piece of music for example). But it all seemed to change when a guy called Chris Hill turned up with talk of regeneration and co-operatives. Before I knew it me and Mrs Windbag had signed up as shareholders and put some money into the thing. Even then I must admit that I thought it would evaporate away and turn out to be a no go. I had reckoned without the resilience and drive of Chris and the other people who got involved on the board of the co-operative. A realistic plan was unveiled and we were convinced to put more money in. And here we are early September 2014. I've spent last weekend wandering round the building that is now known as Unity Works. My own part in all this is very small. A sleeping partner who has invested but not got involved (beyond having the odd pint with Chris down at Harry's bar). But that hasn't stopped me feeling pride in the scale of what has been achieved. During the open day on Saturday afternoon I was boring anybody who would listen about the fact that this is not some faceless corporate building but something steeped in old northern traditions of co-operation and community. I did the same to the taxi driver as we headed off to the first gig.  The gig itself was quite symbolic featuring Welsh T Band, Napoleon IIIrd and Middleman. All acts with strong Wakefield ties. In fact the latter two acts featured people who had studied at Unity when it was used by Bretton College. Unity itself is looking very smart although, understandably given the tight timescales, there are one or two things that still need fixing such as the odd damp patch and the like. But the quality of the finish is great. The stained glass windows and vaulted ceiling in the major hall are two of the features that stand out. Due to suppliers letting them down the bar was a bit makeshift and lacked variety but hopefully this is just a temporary issue. The sound in the major hall is also a minor cause for concern. The high vaulted ceiling makes for 'church' like acoustics. Ok for some acts but difficult for any act featuring loud drums. Down the front for Middleman it sounded better - but maybe that was a result of being close to the PA. Hopefully this isn't insolvable and some thought is being given to it. Certainly the problem is managed in plenty of venues with higher ceilings (the Academy and Arena in Leeds being two that come to mind). The other thing that stands out is that there has been a lot spoken about the past of Unity - tea dances, fashion shows, weddings, punk gigs . That was only right and proper as a means to galvanise us for the job of regenerating the venue (and I'm guilty of doing it myself check these old articles I wrote several years ago here, here and here). However I think the time for talking about the past is now over. We now need to start looking towards the future. There was a great crowd on Saturday. But that was a free event! Future gigs won't be free and if Unity is to succeed people need to turn up. People need to take risks and come out to support the venue. Tickets may seem expensive at times but bands need to get paid and the fees for some acts (even acts that originate from Wakefield) can be eyewatering. Plus there are other expenses such as electricity, heating and various large loans to service. We've all seen the situation in the past where people have put on acts at other venues in Wakefield and only sparse audiences turn out. I remember seeing Dry the River for a few quid at the Hop and being in a single figure crowd - admitedly they were unknown at the time - but within a year they sold out the Brudenell Social Club! If you want to see bands in your town. To stop talking about the distant past and talk about what's happening now. To have a prestigious venue in your town. Then you need to get off your backsides and away from the telly and get out and attend events. If the bands aren't the ones you want to see talk to the promoters (or dare I say get out there and see if you can organise your own event). If you've not heard of the acts do a bit of research on the internet - you never know you might find something you like. Unity is now up and running but this isn't the movies where the credits roll and we all lived happily ever after with our wonderful venue. This is the start of something. Something that will only continue if you support it. Don't assume it will just be there waiting for you when you finally deign to come out and grace it with your presence. You might find its gone again and you'll have nobody but yourself to blame. ** PS I've got a new creative outlet and you can find it here: https://soundcloud.com/rice-crispie-kid/ |
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