Friday 8 June 2007 - Waltham Forest Town Hall

I’m really delighted to have been invited here today. I am proud of the very strong relationship which Waltham Forest Council has shared with the majority of the wide breadth of the cultural community across the borough, and of the close partnership which we have in particular with Waltham Forest Arts Council.

In particular, I’d like to pay tribute to the very constructive relationship – even friendship – which I have been shown since becoming Leader by Tim Bennett Goodman, the Chair of Waltham Forest Arts Council.

At times it's been a challenging relationship, at times we haven’t agreed and at times Tim has strongly taken me to task – but behind it all I’ve never doubted his integrity and commitment to work constructively with the Council and wider to see all arts flourish in this borough. I’d like to thank him for organising this excellent event today.

I still get a bit of a thrill when I say that Waltham Forest is an Olympic Borough. When you think about what culture can encompass, the approach to the London Olympic and Paralympic Games can embrace it all. It seems to me that whether you love it or hate it, the new 2012 Games symbol is a wonderful example of what the arts can be.

It's controversial, it provokes passionate discussion, and whether you think it’s an innovative way to involve the young, or a middle aged graphic designer’s take on youth, it seems to me that its done its job. It's certainly launched a big discussion about what culture is and how it relates to the 2012 Games.

The Department of Culture Media and Sport [DCMS] gives Councils a definition of culture. It’s huge – but I think its helpful to reflect on its expanse and its diversity: one of the concluding comments from this week’s Cultural inspection was the vast range of opportunities we have in our cultural offer. So they define culture as:

  • the performing and visual arts, craft, and fashion
  • media, film, television, video, and language
  • museums, artefacts, archives and design
  • libraries, literature, writing and publishing
  • the built heritage, architecture, landscape and archaeology
  • sports events, facilities and development
  • parks, open spaces, wildlife habitats, water environment and countryside recreation
  • children's play, playgrounds and play activities
  • tourism, festivals and attractions
  • informal leisure pursuits
  • licensing of alcohol, entertainment and late night refreshment

That’s a huge range and that’s what we have to work towards delivering and facilitating. But when we think about it in the context of the 2012 Games, London is uniquely placed to deliver against it all. And Waltham Forest will add vibrancy and diversity to the cultural feast on offer.

Like all of the aspects of the 2012 Games, the support for our cultural offering has to have the support and enthusiasm of local people. So whilst all of us involved in the cultural sector – whether as providers, facilitators or just as people who enjoy it - seek to promote and drive forward the overall agenda, we have to ensure that we’re not just delivering what we want to deliver, what we’re comfortable and safe with, or what we think people want. I firmly believe that we have to embrace all types of culture and interpretations of culture.

You’ll hear from Eryl Smith later in the programme about the way in which the 5 Olympic boroughs are working together to support the Cultural Olympiad. But Waltham Forest itself is home to a wide array of cultural offerings, and it's on this basis that I’m confident we’ll not just pull our weight as a borough, but we’ll be able to add a distinctive and uniquely Waltham Forest dimension.

When we go back to the list from DCMS, I don’t think that there is a sector where Waltham Forest does not have a vibrant representation.

From the 25,000 children who take advantage of our free swimming in school holidays to the increased visitors who make use of the our new central library; from the visitors to our two excellent local museums to the thriving pub music scene in the borough – our cultural foot print is simply huge and still growing through festivals, exhibitions, sports events and gigs.

Our 2012 Games slogan is ‘it's happening here’ and whatever type of cultural offering you’re interested in, it's almost certainly the case that it is happening here.

But we certainly need to take a step back and think what additionally be provided in the run up to the London Games. I don’t think that culture emanates from the Town Hall. I’m not a stuffy 1970s Labour Party politician who thinks that it is the local council who sit in committee and provide the impetus for the cultural life of a borough. But we must aim to work together and with the widest variety of people to bring them together to share their cultures.

That’s why I’m proud of the thousands of people who come to our magnificent annual festivals – where else would you get 10,000 people of all ages and backgrounds alternatively dancing to bangra and swing music; or sipping coconut milk with their hotdogs.

So I believe that we need to do more to bring people together and apply high art alongside a cultural democracy. And this means we all have to think about how we will continue to move the Waltham Forest cultural agenda forward towards 2012 and beyond, but also our contribution to the London cultural offer. We cannot get away from the fact that our opportunities and challenges are contained within this great city. I believe there are some interesting and innovative ideas and opportunities waiting for the calm and mature space and time to be discussed.

One of the things which won the 2012 Games for London was the focus of our bid on young people. Whilst the Games and the surrounding events will be of interest to all ages, we should be unabashed about our desire to use the Games to inspire the coming generation towards cultural interest engagement, and participation.

One of the things I was most proud of in the bidding process was ‘Imagine 2012’ the huge arts exhibition which we organised to showcase the dreams and aspirations of our young people. There is tremendous talent amongst our young people – I have little doubt that the future of culture in this borough is in safe hands.

I’m pleased  to announce today that the Council will be launching an annual photography competition and exhibition as a contribution to the Cultural Olympiad.  The first of many contributions I hope. As ever, I’ve been in talks with Tim about how Waltham Forest Arts Council can make this idea into a truly compelling cultural event.

However the first sports 2012 branded event will be 24 June – the Tour de Waltham Forest.

But we do collectively need to think about the next five years and embrace new thinking. We need to engage with a wider range of people, we need to get them involved and excited – and most importantly, we need them to bring their ideas and talents to the table.

Another example is our talks with adults and older people about the Waltham Forest oral history a pioneers' project.

To this end there is so much to learn from – the V and A’s recent Kylie Minogue exhibition is a wonderful example of how established institutions can connect with a whole new audience by their willingness to embrace a new cultural horizon.

So – lots happening, lots of opportunities, but we need to be willing to embrace new ideas of culture, welcome new ways of working and to challenge ourselves in the best tradition of cultural innovation.

Lastly, I’d be remiss if I didn’t encourage all of you who are unfamiliar with the borough to take in some of the things we have to offer – whether your taste lies to the sumptuous Rodins which we currently have on display in the William Morris Gallery, or to the folk music in the pubs along Wood Street, I know we have something to offer everyone.

Thank you.