Inn On The Green “an invaluable resource”

 By Neleswa Mclean-Thorne

Local resident and  producer, Neleswa Mclean-Thorne, shares her feelings on the closure of the Inn On The Green. 

After many years of dedicated service to our community Inn On The Green has been told by The Westway Development Trust that when their lease runs out at the beginning of May it will not be renewed.  

At the earliest stages of planning WANTED Cabaret there had been no doubt in mind as to where this event would be held. In fact as a local who has lived but 10mins away from The Inn all my life and as a patron of the venue as we have known it for the last 6years; I knew it was the only local venue that I could go to with nothing but an idea as long as it posed positive effects for our community and they would give  me a chance. 

WANTED Cabaret debuted at Inn On The Green Sunday 1st November 2009 and has been growing and going strong ever since;  It is unique night of the arts offering the opportunity for artists to showcase their talents as live advertisements and the audience a chance to experience in an interactive exhibition. It offered artists of all forms a platform to exhibit, showcase and ultimately advertise for what they wanted whether it was a drama group, producer, drummer,  buyer, vocalist, collaborator... The event brought some of the most exciting new musicians, actors, comedians, film-makers, artist, poets, designers...together and Inn On The Green offered us a safe place for this magical artistic community venture to materialise and grow. 

Since the event has been running over 100 local, national and international artists have passed through the venue and I cannot think of one of them who has not been in awe of and commented on The Inn and it's inclusive familial ethos. The Inn has encouraged, supported and facilitated our community in taking positive and productive action in a safe space. Cultivating ventures that benefit our community in ways that make Inn On The Green an invaluable resource to us all. It is a crime that for no other reason that I can see than financial gain, The Westway Development Trust is taking it away from our community. No matter how many time they say 'Health and Wellbeing' or 'hub' in their A New Future for Inn On The Green webpage an extension to the Fitness First Gym downstairs will in no way replace or offer the; communal, artistic, multi-cultural, emotional, educational and spiritual and health and well-being that Inn On The Green already offers and cultivates.

Neleswa Mclean-Thorne

Links 

http://www.westway.org/trustnews/trustnews/11-03-22/A_New_future_for_Inn_On_The_Green.aspx

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