David Jacques
We were all immensely saddened to hear of the untimely and unexpected death of David Jacques. David had been a regular attendee at our meetings, and was closely in touch with what was happening in the area round the Pavilion. He was always ready with pithy comments and common sense. He had very useful local contacts, and was able to arrange meeting places for us. He was also active in local politics, and knew all about what was happening in the Town Council.
His son Dean is our very efficient secretary, and the two between them helped with all our internet needs.
I have known David for a long time. In fact I taught him when I first came to Peterlee, and his Dad had a shop in Fulwell Road. He set up his own computer repair business which was well-regarded in the town, and was a well-known local character.
His death was totally unexpected and we are all very shocked and saddened. All our thoughts must be with Dean at this difficult and distressing time, when everyone else is looking forward to celebrating Christmas.
David Taylor-Gooby, Chair APCA
Bridging the Gap
Bridging The Gap is a new initiative from the APCA – a combination of workshops in schools, colleges and community venues, a new specially commissioned artists installation/performance piece and an evening of celebratory performances in and around the Pavilion itself.
The workshop programme starts in March 2011 and comprises a series of short residencies and sessions with artists that include contemporary and street dance, new-music techniques, visual arts and sculpture, creating comics and intergenerational sessions. Needless to say the sessions will all take as inspiration the Apollo Pavilion – its chequered history, the impetus behind its creation and its current standing as well as the design of the Sunny Blunts estate.
Anyone interested in taking part in the workshop programme or learning more about the sessions on offer should email us at Apollo Pavilion Community Association or ring the number below.
Works and performances produced during the workshop programme will be performed and viewed during a community celebration on Sunday 10 July.
The celebration will also feature the premier of One Small Step (first performance) and One Small Step (second performance), which together form a contemporary dance piece choreographed by Dora Frankel with design by the artist Sam Goodlet and music specially composed and recorded by Peter Coyte. The performances will take place in and around the Pavilion – a response to its concrete beauty, the surrounding green, the estate and the community.
We are delighted to have commissioned this new site-specific piece that promises to be an accessible, exciting and unique production. The commission rose out of a ‘Factory Night’ organised by Rednile Projects where a number of artists from across the region were invited to visit the Pavilion, comment on it and suggest artistic interventions and proposals. Seed funding from Rednile allowed us to raise the funds to support the whole of the Bridging The Gap programme and this commission in particular. We are extremely grateful for their support and in time we hope to follow up on other proposals made by visiting artists.
A full programme for the celebrations on Sunday 10 July will follow shortly.
Friends of The Apollo Pavilion
The Community Association has no assets and the Board are all volunteers. If we are to fully support Durham County Council’s endeavours to promote and protect the Pavilion we need to raise funds in our own right.
It’s not expensive to become a Friend and by doing so you will help us care for the structure and maintain an interest in the work of Victor Pasmore.
For further information please go to the friends page.
In the Shadow of the Pavilion
This is an ongoing and regularly changing exhibition of photographs in the Pavilion Community Centre in Helford Road, adjacent to the Apollo Pavilion. The photographs challenge stereotypes of the Apollo Pavilion and provide unique insight into its iconic place in the landscape.
We will consider good quality images in any style, genre or format for exhibition. So if you have an image of the Pavilion that you think suitable for exhibition please email us at david.taylorgooby@btinternet.com