Yet again the Council bods can't see any further than their own noses. The Roadmender is a starting point for a lot of fantastic bands and it should be there to encourage new bands from the area. There certainly seems to be no encouragement for the youngsters of this area and by closing the Roadmender we take away yet another great place.
It's typical that the council is cutting funding to one of only a few youth orientated ventures. They need to understand that not everyone in N'pton is over 40. They complain about groups of youth's hanging around the streets, yet where else can the go. And now, they're trying to push out the young adults. How about knocking down the hideous Sol Central, most of it's empty anyhow, no-one will miss it. Up With ROADMENDER, Down With THE COUNCIL.
Northampton: a town of bleak architecture, limited art and music facilities, and obviously a council who are blind to the ramifications of their actions. I'm not in the least bit surprised that they're considering pulling the Roadmender funding, and I won't be in the least bit surprised when it turns out a howling mistake that worsens Northampton's already appalling reputation as a breeding ground for talent. I'd elborate more but I really do give up with these people.
The club has broken even, why pull funding now? Northampton is growing, the need for a venue like the Roadmender for the people of Northampton has never been greater
It will be a huge loss to Northampton if the Council remove their backing to the Roadmender.It's a centre of Cultural diversity, allowing many new bands (especially local bands) to proove themselves.Maybe if the council put more money into the Roadmender rather than the hideous monstrosity that is the Mayorhold car park opposite.....!
Cultures across the world embrace music and dance with enjoyment and passion. Live music is a positive part of our culture and should not be dismissed so easily.. it is a powerful art form which should be celebrated and shared. Surely encouraging venues like this is extremely important. Else all we will be left with is chain pubs playing commercially produced music.. culturally dry... is that the Britian we want?
Since moving to Milton Keynes 5 years ago I've relied on Northampton to feed my appetite for live music. Losing the Roadmender would be very sad indeed
The Roadmender is the only venue in the area that offers us the chance to see top and up and coming acts not only music but in other arts as well. Liverpool will be European City of Culture soon, don't let Northampton become the town with no culture. The roadmender is a local treasure, don't bury it!! It is your duty to support it.
Don't allow Northampton to lose this excellent venue and asset. It's got something for everyone in our family - from the 14 year old to the giddy heights of me at 44! Please save it for all Northants people
Northamptons only decent attraction. 3 years at Uni this was the only place to be. With the university now with official "University" status its bound to attract more students but if they're music fans they're not going to come if there's nowhere to watch decent bands! God save our Roadmender.
Roadmender means so much to so many people. Even my Grandmother speaks fondly of the times she spent there as a child!(RM has moved since then) It is the best place to experience music and art in the whole of Northamptonshire! And is also a hotspot for comedy and theatre too. Loosing the Roadmender would be depriving Northamptonshire and is a big mistake! It would be a huge step backwards causing Northampton to loose out yet again to its neighbouring towns/cities!
Withdrawing funding from the Roadmender is symtomatic of the parochialism and lack of vision that seem to chronically infect any cultural aspirations of Northampton. The council seem to be quite happy to fling money at deadend discussions and consultations about things that never seem to happen or even need to happen, for instance the future of the market square, but turn their backs on anything that might have popular support. A case of nanny knowing best????
I think it would be a real loss to Northampton if the Roadmender had to close. I, like many others, went to my first ever gig at the venue and still enjoy going today!
Northampton council has short sight it seems. To withdraw funding would,in my opinion destroy kind of activities people need.
Places like the Roadmender encourage creativity and give people other interests to persue.
In the times of the drinking culture that we find ourselves in, it seems unrealistic to discourage avenues that offer alternative evenings like the Roadmender offer to people young and old alike.
I saw my very first gig at the Roadmender and have been back many times since. It is a great venue and should be supported. There are no similar venues in the local area and The Roadmender will leave a massive void if it's forced to close.
If Roadmender were to Close it would be a Tragedy. The Soundhaus is a good venue for getting smaller up and coming bands but the bigger bands will not be drawn to the area if Roadmender Shuts.
In the past year i have seen bands such as The Rakes, The Subways, Hard-Fi, The Zutons and Ordinary Boys at Roadmender. Where else in the area is going to have the capability to attract such acts as these.
The council and local government should also consider the fact that Roadmender caters for many youngsters at gigs and club nights. They should be grateful and not to mention proud that an establishment such as Roadmender gives young people something to do. Where will these people go if Roadmender shuts??
I appeal to everyone to do the right thing and get behind this petetion and drive towards securing the future of a great venue.
Centre's such as this are an invaluable part of any community. Councils over the country have been too eager to close such places down all for the worse for todays youth and the neglect of arts and culture in society today. It's a pity councils don't appreciate the value of such venues.
The venue gives me the chance to see groups still on the circuit from my youth such as Stiff Little Fingers and the Damned etc.
More importantly, it is venues such as the Roadmender that first enabled me to see groups like those mentioned when I was 14-16 and meant that I wasn’t always roaming the streets. Part of its value to the community is its central location and accessibility that enables varied and varying groups of people to enjoy the artists. For example at say SLF gigs the majority of the audience are in their late 30’ and 40’s but there is always a sizeable percentage of under 25’s – a success in itself in enabling people from all backgrounds and social groups to mix.
Its accessibility is also good for people outside the town, including parents who know they can drop their kids in town and pick them up afterwards – public transport to some extent is also an option being close to trains and buses. I first went to the Roadmender when I lived in Sussex and its live music and theatre facilities (like that of Brighton and Portsmouth) helped my family to decide to move my job to Northampton.
The Roadmender is part of an undervalued resource that offers people (especially youngsters) the chance to see live music performed by people whose cd’s they buy, tracks they download and merchandising they wear.
Council budgets are tight but society also needs places like communal venues that offer a variety of activities - it is folly to close something that once it has gone will be lost forever. One can calculate the cost of the venue in monetary terms but in social terms what is its value and benefit to us all? I’d venture it is worth a great deal too.
Coming from a town near Brighton I can’t imagine this happening there. Moreover, if Northampton has visions of being a regional centre for culture then it needs to effectively compete with Milton Keynes et al across all areas. Closing the Roadmender is not a way to achieve cultural ambit
What about balance? I can see a time when gig goers only have enormous corporate venues to go to. This size of venue is vital to live music and The Roadmender is one of the best.
Keep it!
The Roadmender is an integral part of the music scene in Northampton and as such the County Council need to recognise the part the venue plays in the lives of many young people in the surrounding areas. We should be encouraging activities and interests amongst the younger members of the population rather than restricting them and limiting their creativity by reducing the number of events and positive outlets for their exuberance.
The council has allowed this town to town to fall into the state it's in. The closure of this venue will be another nail in the coffin for the youth, the future and the arts. Their desire for a drinking town based around yob culture is very near.
In addition to adding social value, the music industry is one of the highest net earners for the UK. Without places like Roadmender, there is nowhere for musicians to learn their craft and become economic contributors.
good live music is so rare and the appearance of up and coming national bands is a both a joy and a boost to the local area. Bear in mind that Milton Keynes has nothing that approaches Roadmender
As a theatre company, we visited RM with a contemporary Shakespeare production. The place was full & we got a great reception. Testimony to its diversity. This is a great venue that combines many art forms and has such a positive, established reputation with the local community, artists and production companies that most venues can only dream of. I find the decision not to support it incredulous and barbaric.
