Snape Proms 2015

[Pulcinella]

But Snape Concert Hall is a major regional venue for the East of England. If it were in Ipswich, the rural private car drivers would still be able to attend and many Suffolk people who don't have access to private transport would also be able to attend concerts. The only people who would lose out would be the handful of Snape villagers without private transport.

But isn't part (most?) of the attraction of Snape that it ISN'T somewhere like Ipswich?
I'm not sure how easy Glyndebourne is to get to, or whether there is late-night transport back to London (where else would one want to go back to, after all?) for example.

[Honoured Guest]

But isn't part (most?) of the attraction of Snape that it ISN'T somewhere like Ipswich?
I'm not sure how easy Glyndebourne is to get to, or whether there is late-night transport back to London (where else would one want to go back to, after all?) for example.

My main point is that any Suffolk resident who lives anywhere outside Snape - including Aldeburgh, Ipswich and the rest of Suffolk - can't attend Snape concerts without private transport.

Secondly, when I considered visiting the area and including one or more Snape concerts, I realised that it wasn't possible to stay in the area and get back to accommodation without a car.

I cannot think of a single other publicly funded venue in the UK where this is also so.

I am not stupid or selfish enough to think that there should be public transport from outside a local catchment area (to answer Eine Alpensinfonie's comment #14).

Glyndebourne is a private enterprise (except for the opening performances of the publicly funded Glyndebourne Touring Opera in the autumn), so it has no public duty to make itself accessible. However, it does coordinate performances with train times at the nearest railway station and it also offers a coach linking service.

[MrGongGong]

I cannot think of a single other publicly funded venue in the UK where this is also so.

Woodend Barn in Banchory
Yorkshire Sculpture Park

http://www.aldeburgh.co.uk/visiting_us/how_to_get_here

I realised that it wasn't possible to stay in the area and get back to accommodation without a car.

Which is also true for many other venues including ones in cities (unless you get a taxi).
Public transport doesn't run late in most places

[Pulcinella]

You are probably right.
I am lucky enough to have friends who have semi-retired to Suffolk, and have stayed with them (and been driven to concerts).
I wouldn't have gone otherwise, that's true.
Whether or not public funding should be so closely allied with public access as you are suggesting I'm not so sure.

PS. This is a response to HG. MrGG got in first!

[gradus]

If only it were true that one could travel by bus to evening events in Ipswich from the surrounding countryside. The public transport systems provided for Londoners and those who live in and around large cities is non-existant in Suffolk and I would guess in most other rural counties too.

[Honoured Guest]

Cities have large resident populations within a short taxi ride and visitors can usually find accommodation within walking distance or similarly within a short taxi ride.

YSP is a daytime venue (unless you attend as a scrap metal thief) with a direct bus link to Wakefield and Barnsley.

Banchory is similar to many small towns in Wales with small arts venues and local catchment populations who don't require private transport.

Snape's walking-distance catchment population is tiny and the concert hall is large and designed to serve a regional catchment population.

[Honoured Guest]

If only it were true that one could travel by bus to evening events in Ipswich from the surrounding countryside. The public transport systems provided for Londoners and those who live in and around large cities is non-existant in Suffolk and I would guess in most other rural counties too.

Yes, I agree that's a pity for rural dwellers, with the New Wolsey Theatre being in Ipswich, etc., but my point is that many people live in Ipswich itself, within walking distance or a short taxi ride of the centre. The equivalent audience living close to the Snape concert hall is miniscule in comparison.

I grew up in a village with no public transport and although the children unfortunately have this rural isolation imposed on them, the adults have to some extent made a choice to live there, or must at least share some personal responsibility for living there and accept the consequences.

[MrGongGong]

I cannot think of a single other publicly funded venue in the UK where this is also so.

Woodend Barn in Banchory?
Yorkshire Sculpture Park?
Dartington?

http://www.aldeburgh.co.uk/visiting_us/how_to_get_here

I realised that it wasn't possible to stay in the area and get back to accommodation without a car.

Which is also true for many other venues including ones in cities (unless you get a taxi).
Public transport doesn't run late in most places

[Barbirollians]

It is an absurd point - the fact is as Mr GG says public transport does not run late in many places especially in winter . I could not believe a couple of years back yjay the last train from Birmingham to Leeds on a Saturday night was 9pm .

[MrGongGong]

Looking at the list of gigs
It looks great to me (not that I would go to hear most of it)
Surely the idea of a series like this is to have a wide range of things?
Aldeburgh DO programme lots of other stuff throughout the year (the main festival often has some wonderful things)

[greenilex]

Long ago we used to cycle from Iken to Snape, and I suppose people still do. I hope no-one is suggesting we'd be better off without that magical venue?

Surely we support artistic quality wherever and whenever and however we can?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Surely we support artistic quality wherever and whenever and however we can?