Ian Downing, Treasurer of the Flavel Arts Centre in Dartmouth, recently joined Head of Programming and Operations Michael Sells, the trustees and staff to define what the organisation is all about.

They gathered at the Dart Marina Hotel who hosted them free of charge and a facilitator conducted the proceedings.

Ian said: “The outcome was fantastic. We shared ideas and we we really had the feeling that everything the staff wanted and the trustees wanted was was going in the right direction so we developed our aims and they link very clearly with the fact that we're a charity and our charitable objectives are to provide arts to the community, to provide a library space and also to do anything else that is charitable within the town.”

A new Trustee has also recently joined called Verity Courtney-Mitchell and she is the Trustee for Community Engagement and is overseeing Flavel Open which gives reductions to those on Universal Credit.

Ian went on to talk about the variety of events they hold at the Flavel with the aim of there being something for everyone in the Dartmouth community.

He defended tribute bands: “I know that some people don't think tribute bands are proper arts but actually they do a fantastic job and a lot of people like tribute bands because they they love the music of a particular band whether it's Abba or Queen or whoever.

“I'd like you to consider the fact that actually the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra play Beethoven. Now, could one consider that a tribute band. Just something to think about,” he added.

Last year Michael Sells started a group called Dartmouth Creatives which gathers together people from a wide spectrum such as poets, writers, visual artists, sculptors and musicians.

They meet at the Flavel every Monday as Ian explains: “People are asked to display their work and the Flavel provides a space for creativity as well as just showing musicians and showing films and and so on. “

Out of that has come a really exciting opportunity to work with a couple of people who have built an online radio station called Waterwaves Radio: https://www.waterwavesmedia.org/

There is also The Actor’s Studio which opens the door to more opportunities as Ian explains: “It is a model that is in existence in London and New York and LA and it's to try to train actors in methodology for acting.”

They’re planning to produce a radio series, which is called Hope Bridge, which is going to be going out live on Water Waves Radio in January.

“People will come in and share problems and discuss them and there's a lot of creativity that goes into it,” he said.

The Flavel wants to reach as many people in the town as possible and is providing things for young people as Ian explained: “We've used the Townstall Community Hall for some DJ workshops with young people where we've managed to raise funds through grant applications to provide that facility.

“We've also had a spray painting workshop, based at the school, delivered by somebody who has actually worked with Banksy in Bristol.”