Protest song fails to move meeting

A delegation of around 10 people from DATco (Disabled Actors Theatre Company) and TOPS (Theatre Opportunities Project attended Bournemouth Borough Council's Cabinet meeting on Wednesday to urge councillors to preserve the building in its present form.

But councillors approved a recommendation that the building be demolished and that options should be explored including the creation of a centre for independent living as part of mixed-use development on the site.

Cathy Purrington, a spokesman for DATco and TOPS, told the meeting: "We are very angry at the decision to close BCCA. After 10 years of happy residency and being supported by Bournemouth Theatre in Education we find ourselves cast out with no thought given to our needs.

"We see BCCA as an ideal place for community theatre. To confine disabled people to a day centre is a backward step."

Musician Stephen McCarthy, who is visually impaired, then performed his song Our Home BCCA' on the guitar in a bid to win over councillors as part of their deputation to the council.

Justine Humphries, of Bournemouth People First, said: "We are very sad that BCCA has closed down. We used to use it for a lot of our education classes and use it for drama and arts. It was important for us to feel part of our community in Boscombe. There is nowhere else for us to meet each other."

A 300-signature petition was also handed in to the council representatives.

Leader of the council Stephen Macloughlin said there was a possibility that they might be able to use the theatre in Shelley Manor when it opens.

Speaking afterwards, Boscombe West councillor Chris Wakefield said the opening of the Shelley theatre in around two years time was a "fantastic opportunity" for local community groups such as DATco and TOPS.

He described their musical deputation as "a novel approach".

"It's my aspiration that community groups will be using Shelley Manor on a regular basis," he added.