Agenda item

To update the Board on recent development and activities, in particular:

·        Learning and Community update

·        Brief for an interpretation strategy

·        Patrons’ event update

·        Press and PR report

·        Annual review

Duncan Wilson introduced the report as circulated, with updates from Isobel Aptaker, Claire Pendleton and Melissa Tettey. The following additional points and comments arose from the discussion of the Board:

Learning and Community Update

·        Feedback from teachers around the pilot primary learning programme had been positive.

·        Further to discussions with head teachers around future curriculum changes, it was proposed that an event be held at Alexandra Palace for primary and secondary head teachers to look at how schools could engage with Alexandra Palace as part of the new curriculum.

Volunteer Strategy

·        Over 100 expressions of interest in volunteering at the Palace had been received, and ways of engaging with volunteers throughout the year were being explored.

·        It was agreed that the draft volunteer strategy would be circulated to all relevant groups, e.g. Friends Groups for comment. The intention was for the document to be reviewed on a two-yearly basis once the final version had been agreed.

·        Further to a request from the Board, it was agreed that a briefing on the background of those registered as volunteers would be provided, for information.

HLF Our Heritage 2 Application

·        The Palace’s plans around this application had been warmly welcomed by the Borough within the context of how the centenary of the First World War would be marked across Haringey. Discussions would be held with the Borough as to whether there may be any additional resources available in order to deliver activities beyond the scope of the current proposal.

Interpretation Strategy

·        Discussions were being held with key stakeholders around the draft brief, which was intended to support a coherent narrative associated with the main HLF bid, following the story of popular entertainment from theatre, through silent film and television.

·        With regard to television, it was suggested that it was important not to focus solely on the early development of TV, but to look at the present day and future of the moving image. It was felt that seeking specialist advice on this aspect of interpretation may be valuable, although the difficulties associated with delivering this type of content without a dedicated curatorial resource were noted. It was noted that recent discussions with the BBC had very much focused on the future of television, and it was hoped that the BBC may be able to offer support around this.

·        It was noted that, once the Interpretation Strategy brief was finalised, an appointment would be made for a small scale consultancy exercise to inform the design process for the main HLF project.

·        With regards to the target audience, it was noted that the first line of this section should read: “The target audience includes the following groups:”.

Patrons event

·        This was now proposed for Spring 2014. It was agreed that details of the proposal would be circulated to the Board for comment prior to the next Board meeting.

Annual Review

·        The Board welcomed the Annual Review, which would be valuable in communicating with potential partners around the regeneration programme. The Board congratulated everyone involved in the production of the document, of which there had been an initial print run of 500. 

·        A copy of the Annual Review would be sent out to all Haringey Councillors.

RESOLVED

That the contents of the report be noted.