The last chord

THE news that the final curtain will come down on cash-strapped Swindon Arts next month has spoiled the plot.

The decision to demobilise the vehicle that has been the driving force of Swindon's cultural bandwagon is a cruel twist in the tail of a saga that began 13 years ago.

In recent times, Swin-don Arts, based at the Wyvern Theatre, has been pivotal in the public's mind with the high profile annual Swindon Jazz Festival.

Now the jazz festival may have played its last tune, leaving everyone feeling like singing the blues. The offbeat Think Art Festival could also be a victim of cash-starvation.

Over the years, the jazz festival, in particular, has been the stage on which professional careers have been launched.

One has to look no further than Swindon's young Jamie Cullum for an example of the festival propelling local talent into the galaxy of stars.

Jamie, 23, has not forgotten his roots, in spite of having signed a million-pound recording contract, being feted on TV and touring the world in concert.

He has regularly performed free of charge at the jazz festival, unselfishly helping to put Swindon on the international map, demonstrating that fame and fortune have not gone to his head. It has been his way of saying thanks to Swindon Arts for the chance to be recognised.

"Swindon has done a lot for me and I wouldn't be doing what I am now if it wasn't for the break I got here," he said.

At one of his gigs, he was watched by the heads of Sony and Universal, the label that launched the Sugababes, Daniel Bedingfield and Busted.

Jamie, who grew up in the village of Hullavington, near Malmesbury, was able to promote Swindon when he was invited on to the Michael Parkinson TV show. But Jamie is not alone in making it big in jazz from Swindon. Rachael Pennell, a former Kingsdown School pupil, released a CD album, Bare 'n' Blue, shortly after catching the eye in this year's Swindon Jazz Festival in April.

During the Think Art Festival, unusual sites are exploited as picture galleries. There are artists in residence, with the whole event kick-started by an exuberant parade.

Rosa Matheson, director of Swindon Arts, said: "These festivals have become a great success and we have now created an expectation for them."

Ms Matheson is proud that she has been a part of helping to "enrich people's lives, bringing fun and benefits to all".

Despite the demise of Swindon Arts, Ms Matheson is upbeat about the future for Swindon. The "cultural foundations laid by Swindon Arts" will underpin a culturally dynamic future for the town, she believes.

Chairman Maurice Fanning said: "Swindon Arts was the first of its kind in the country 13 years ago. It was applauded throughout the nation for its pioneering concept. I'm proud of what we've done, engaging the public in the arts. But we will be wound up at the end of January, a redundant and moribund body.

"It gives me no comfort in making this report. But we have to quit before we run into debt."

And Swindon councillor Steve Allsopp (Lab, Parks), also in optimistic mood, said: "We're on the edge of a real cultural lift-off here, but unfortunately Swindon Arts is not the body to see it through.

"The way forward has to be through a link between the arts and entrepreneurial regeneration of the town centre."

The brutal truth is that in today's economic climate, in which everything is judged by its financial return, Swindon Arts is no longer viable.

To keep Swindon Arts, an independent local charity, going for another year, thereby temporarily safeguarding the jazz and Think Art festivals, required a cash injection of £140,000 from the council.

Council leader Mike Bawden (Con, Town and Lawns) believed that using taxpayers' money on entertainment when frontline services were screaming for every available penny would be "sending out the wrong message".

Unfortunately, yet undiscovered, budding Jamie Cullums will be the long-term losers.

The motto of Swindon Arts has always been "Make it happen".

It has employed a staff of two people and has generated £200,000 in the past two years for its projects.

"We have been inundated with fantastic ideas, but we needed the money to make them a reality," said Rosa Matheson, director of the organisation.

But the problem has been that output has exceeded input, said this champion of creativity.

Nationwide Building Society has always been the organisation's biggest sponsor, stumping up around £15,000 a year.

Michael Litchfield