Wiltshire County Council is 100%
committed to supporting Bass
Connections and no decision has been
made to move it to Wilton Middle
School.
That was the message given recently by
David Whewell, Head of Youth
Development at Wiltshire County
Council, to the young people of the
Bass Connections Committee.
I attended the consultation between
David Whewell and the young people on
the committee. In the course of a very
amicable and open discussion, Mr
Whewell reassured the committee that
Bass Connections had the unequivocal
backing of Wiltshire County Council.
He confirmed that the Council would
like to sell Grosvenor House and
Riverside, as part of a Salisbury-wide
co-location project with the NHS. Mr
Whewell pledged to do his utmost to
find a location in Salisbury for Bass
Connections but said that, if no
Salisbury venue could be found, the
group would be moved to Wilton. He
made a commitment to keep the committee
up-to-date with all decisions and
possibilities concerning them.
Anton Prior, the main committee
spokesman, suggested that all members
of the committee actively look
themselves for possible venues in
Salisbury. This offer was welcomed by
Mr Whewell.
I was also given a tour of the premises
and was very impressed with the
enthusiasm of the young people. Bass
Connections started with just one band,
using the profit from gigs to buy more
equipment. Members pay £1 a week
towards maintaining the equipment.
They now have rooms and equipment for 7
bands, a recording studio and DJ
room.
Two Youth Development Workers assist
with all non-musical aspects to further
the personal development of the young
people, helping them to identify their
aims and work out how to achieve them.
Performance at school often improves
dramatically as the young people
recognise school as a means of
acquiring the skills necessary to
fulfil their goals. Stunning!