Noticeboard NewsGossipOpinion BRIEFS

LOTUS POSITIONS at the ready! The small North Ayrshire island of Little Cumbrae is being converted into an international yoga camp, after being blessed by one of India’s top lifestyle gurus, Baba Ramdev. 700 acres of land will now be transformed into a pranayama yoga base and teaching centre.

HOGMANAY TICKET PRICE IS SHEER MADNESS It’s been revealed that this year’s Hogmanay bash in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens will be headlined by vintage pop-ska band Madness. However, fans of the band, whose hits include ‘Embarrassment’ and ‘Our House’, will have to fork out a tenner for the cheapest tickets double last year’s price. It’s the fourth time the ticket price has gone up since the charge for the world’s biggest street party was introduced in 2004.

IT’S LOOKING increasingly likely that Aberdeen will miss out on its usual street party celebrations this Hogmanay due to lack of funding. Previous big name acts include The Proclaimers and Travis. Early indications suggest events will be scaled down in a bid to cut costs, though the future looks uncertain. SNP MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville has claimed that the final cost of Edinburgh’s tram project could cost £250m more than initially planned, and that the trams may not start running until 2013. Edinburgh City Council and Tie, the company in charge of the project, have refuted the claim.

MUSIC MAN REMEMBERED The memory of Billy Kelly, the visionary behind Glasgow’s Mayfest, has inspired Scotland’s first ever Song Writing Awards. The awards have been created by Oran Mor owner Colin Beattie in recognition of Kelly’s contribution to the Scottish Music Industry.

WWW.LIST.CO.UK Visit us daily for arts & entertainment news

8–22 Oct 2009 THE LIST 7

Abigail Brown’s textile birds at the Park Gallery

Park life As the Park Gallery is threatened with closure, we ask supporters of the Falkirk gallery to help campaign for its survival. Words: Anna Millar

T he Park Gallery is something of an art institution. Located in a stable block at Falkirk’s Callendar Park, the gallery is best known for its edgy, contemporary, thought-provoking work by local, national and international artists.

So last month’s news that the gallery may be forced to relocate, or worse still, face closure was greeted with widespread shock and disappointment.

Since it opened its doors in 2000, following a successful lottery bid, the gallery has been a big hit with the local community, with its line-up of workshops, activities and education programmes. The only dedicated, publically funded contemporary arts space in the area, the free attraction has been commended for ensuring access for everyone.

Discussions are now underway to re- establish the gallery within a compromised space, due to lack of funding. Last month, Falkirk’s leisure and tourism committee voted to close the gallery and ‘relocate’ it to nearby Callendar House in spring next year, describing he current space as ‘too small’ and lacking toilets. Showcasing national and international talent, and providing an outlet for upcoming artists, the gallery currently

costs the council £50,000 per year to run. It often hosts income-generating exhibitions, including the upcoming Wi n t e r Wa r m t h show, which features works by 60 textile artists. In recent months the gallery has housed the eclectic works of Joan Eardley, Lesley Banks and Catriona Taylor. Next year’s programme is set to showcase the works of legendary Scottish artist Alan Davie.

Those behind the arts space are said to be utterly confused by the decision and believe relocating the space to Callendar House an idea suggested by the committee is a mistake, believing unequipped to host such exhibitions. space

the is

Supporters of the space back, fighting

are encouraging artists, locals and art supporters to sign a petition to try and save the space. Given the Park Gallery’s cultural significance and contribution to the artistic landscape of Scotland The List is hoping it can be preserved.

Sign the petition at www.the petitionsite.com/3/sign-the-petition- to-save-the-park-gallery-falkirk