Janet Martin is wonder woman. She has transformed a church into a creative arts centre.
The Church was opened 105 years ago but it served as a church for only five years. For many years it was print works. I had the invitations to my wedding reception in 1985 printed there.
They got the date wrong. I never went back there again.
Barnabas Arts House was heaving with 200 guests tonight enjoying art work, musicians belly dancing and a poet. Janet Martin has revealed an attractive building that was hiding for years beneath the giant printing presses
Half of the studios available to rent have already been let. Ms Martin plans to use the main space as a Last Supper Club, a monthly 'dining experience'. That sounds intriguing. It would ibe deal for weddings and other events. This is a brave and beautiful venture.
The centre was opened tonight by Assembly Deputy Speaker Rosemary Butler. She a genuine enthusiast for the arts and Ms Martin greatest fan. She made a rousing speech in which she said she would do everything possible to help this venture -except 'belly dancing.'
Photographic delight
The work of my office was disrupted yesterday when we discovered the website of the Newport Photographic Club. Their exhibition also opened tonight in the Riverside Theatre.
The photographs are stunning world class quality. The club has been in business since 1891- almost as old as photography itself. The club met on Fridays and would welcome new members.
I spoke to the 83 year old Bob Watkins. He has a novel technique that gives his pictures a three dimensional appearance. Click on this link and go to the galleries. After that enjoy the other pictures on the site.
The exhibition has a fresh set of photographs. It's a thrilling treat. Don't miss it.
http://www.newportpc.co.uk/Index.htm
Brown vindicated
Things are looking up for Gordon Brown's economy strategy.
The £ is no longer on parity with € and is settling back to normal levels currently about 85 Euro to the pound. House prices have bottomed out and are making modest gains. A recent £5bn sale of debt was sold out with buyers ready to buy another £3bn.
The nations debt is high, but not as high as it was historically and nowhere near that endured recently by Japan, Italy, US and Germany.
It must all be very worrying for David Cameron. Time to bring the crisis mongers back to spread some misery.
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