On 4th January, Carl Gray and Katie Greenfield, representatives of the Save Rufford Ceramics Centre (RCC) Petition Group, met with Notts County Council (NCC) to discuss the petitioners’ concerns. We requested:
1. A 3-month stay of execution at The RCC (Rejected by NCC)
2. Clarification on the detail of NCC’s new model (Rejected by NCC)
3. To run an initial 3-month feasibility study for forming a National Ceramics Centre at Rufford, to build on The RCC’s reputation, embrace NCC’s local aims & objectives and open up new sources of funding for the whole community (Rejected by NCC)
It was apparent in the meeting that NCC’s representatives are in denial that they are custodians of a centre of international repute which is respected throughout the world.
However, we did achieve the following:
1. Residencies have been confirmed for 2008 and part of 2009
2. The workshop program will continue, although on a different staffing basis, we understand.
3. Earth & Fire has been confirmed for 2008 (although there is no reassurance for the future as it was stated that: “it will remain at Rufford as long as this site is deemed suitable for the number of visitors attending”)
4. Our most important success was to see the exhibition program potentially re-established – prior to the meeting on Friday only 2 exhibitions were planned (1 confirmed). Subsequent to the meeting a senior NCC employee has contacted a number of major artists with a view to their exhibiting this year, on apparently favourable terms.
Here is a detailed summary of what was discussed at the meeting: Meeting Summary
We have written an open letter to NCC, following the meeting: Letter to NCC
Whilst our major objectives have not been achieved the petition has gained commitment from the NCC for the areas listed above and made clear to us that NCC do not wish to host a major ceramics centre in the medium term. We are now determined to explore the possibility of creating a National Ceramics Centre for the UK and we hope and believe that we will have the petitioners’ full support.
Stephen Dee of Studiopottery.co.uk has agreed to work with us on this strategy. We will advise you within a few weeks of the next steps in our campaign.
We welcome your feedback and comments.
