Background
Welcome to our site , you'll probably get the impression it's been put together by a rabid monkey without the first idea about web design and you'd be right . So bite me , it's either this or the pelican get's his chance .
We've now taken our first tentative steps ( since last night ) as a recognised voluntary organisation .
It's been been a long , drawn out and frustrating process severely hampered by the lack of advice and assistance available from local departments being paid to oversee projects like this .
Although in fairness I must thank Torfaen Borough Council for allowing Jay Ryan ,the co-ordinator for Musical Youth ,to give up some of her precious and worthy time to help us .Which answers the question ' why have you set up this organisation ? ' .
Rock Bottom Promotions has come in to being because of the lethargy and indifference displayed by TCBC in the PAST , concerning the provision of entertainment for the community ,both young and old .
For the last few years we have highlighted the fact that Torfaen is a cultural backwater , and that our talented musicians , especially , are not being given the recognition , the help , nor the guidance that should be afforded them .
I say past ,because now we have a breakthrough and are due to have several meetings with the head of regeneration ,Mr Bill Hill , and his department in an effort to create an action plan whereby our ideas can be implemented .We are optimistic and look forward to working with TCBC to that end .
Councillors Bob Wellington and Rose Seabourne have our thanks for setting this up with TCBC .
A major stumbling block ,apart from funding , is suitable venues in Torfaen .
Here in Cwmbran we have the Congress Theatre and although we were lucky enough to book it for the July concert ( £3 per ticket ) it is now fully booked for months ahead well into 2008 .
That's fine , because the theatre is a charity . What we find frustrating is that the theatre is hired by acts from all over the country ,charging outrageous ticket prices up to £ 17 ,when we have quality home grown talent available , at a fraction of the cost ,and an integral part of community regeneration . We will pay the same hiring fee added to our contribution to funding /grants made by TCBC to the Congress each year which I believe is around £ 50,000 . ( please feel free to correct this figure ) .
Many of you will say ,' what about the Stadium , the Community Farm ,the Carnival ' . Sorry but these venues were all refused us last year without proper explanation ,except the farm which said the music would frighten the animals ( oh , so they 've enjoyed the firework displays over the years ! ) .
Anyway I've just had an excruciating dig in the ribs for having a moan ,so I'll just say that it's been hard getting here but with the help of our board of volunteers and the co-operation of TCBC and the community we'll make this work .
News update
The meeting with Head of Regeneration Bill Hill and staff , Sally Church and Verity Hiscocks was a total waste of time .
We haven't been contacted by them since that meeting ,haven't received any offers of help or guidance and certainly no offers of funding . I think we can safely say that Torfaen Borough Council is not interested in what 's happening in the community but only interested in perpetuating the status quo and safeguarding their positions of authority and their large salaries .