| Background to
cancellation of concert on 15th June
Details compiled from ‘The Journal’ 12th June 2002, and letter received from
Durham University.
The concert was to be part of a five day event sponsored by
the University of Durham, The Durham City Council, The Gala Theatre (Millennium Theatre)
in Durham and promoted by Rival Arts of Newcastle, and which was to have been part of the
Durham Festival of Sport and Music - providing live outdoor entertainment to the Durham
Regatta and First Class County Cricket on two of the five days.
Earlier in the year, a concert by chart-toppers
‘Westlife’ sold out inside the theatre, but tickets to an outside marquee with a
big screen sold poorly and the marquee event was cancelled resulting in a financial loss.
Although the Durham City Council provided a loan to help the management company out, the
company eventually ceased trading.
The company which was running the Gala Theatre ran up debts
of almost £700,000 in the seven months after opening, which included £209,000 to the
City Council.
Following this, the University and the City Council looked
at future outdoor events and decided that the risk of making an additional loss was too
great in view of ticket sales to date, and so cancelled the whole of the outdoor
activities for both days.
Financial implications
The Society has received compensation from the organisers sufficient to cover all the
expenses incurred prior to the event. For this we are most grateful.
Welcome
Denise Oliver has joined the team and looks after refreshments
on Wednesday nights.
Draught Control
All of the windows behind the stage in the Church Hall have
now been replaced and the draughts eliminated. Thanks to the West Park ‘Do it
Yourself' team.
Found
One denim hat. One pair of prescription spectacles. Contact
the editor.
Editorial address
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Fulwell,
Sunderland.
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