THE task facing the council in getting the Princess Pavilion back up and running was revealed today when the Packet was taken on a tour of the building by director of cultural services, Henrietta Boex.
Princess Pavilion and Gyllyngdune Gardens
The pavilion has been closed since the beginning of the pandemic but when the Packet visited this morning there were people out enjoying the sunshine in Gyllyngdune Gardens, including the In The Loop Knitters and crochet group.
The auditorium holds 600 people
As exclusively revealed in the Packet last week the pavilion and gardens are now in the hands of Falmouth Town Council and the people of Falmouth.
Unfortunately the seats have gone mouldy
The time the building has been closed has taken its toll on the fixtures and fittings. The main problems coming from leaks in the flat roof with water coming through in various parts of the building, although repairs are underway in the men's toilets where the worst leaks occurred.
Princess Pavilion and Gyllyngdune Gardens
It is hoped to have the cafe open for light refreshments by June 14, when the pavilion will have gone through a deep clean of all areas accessed by the public and also the kitchen. And all the machinery safety checked and deep cleaned.
The dressing room will probably need a bit of love
It is hoped that the 600 standing room auditorium will be up and running by September, although Henrietta admits this may be a bit ambitious. She says volunteers have had a look at the sound equipment and apart from a bit of condensation getting in, it's not too bad.
The In The Loop Knitters and Crochet group enjoy the sunshine
"Unfortunately some of the seats in the auditorium have gone mouldy and so I need all of this out," she said "Fortunately I have got some fabulous volunteers who are really, really helpful who are going to come in tomorrow and tell me how to basically do things.
Princess Pavilion and Gyllyngdune Gardens
"These seats have historically been here and weigh a ton. Unfortunately a load of them were left out on the verandah so they've gone rotten. Part of me thinks we need to get them out and get rid of them, get some easier stackable chairs, let's be a bit more flexible."
Princess Pavilion and Gyllyngdune Gardens
Henrietta tells me that Arts Council England is coming down next week and she says she hopes it thinks it is worth supporting and is hoping they might give an emergency grant to just sort out some of the basic stuff.
Princess Pavilion and Gyllyngdune Gardens
She is organising a volunteer day for people to come and help clean the venue up very soon. The launch will go through the Love Falmouth page on June 14 and on June 21, the day when things are supposed to reopen, the bandstand in the garden will be twinned with the one in The Horniman Museum in London, founded by former Falmouth and Penryn MP Frederick John Horniman, whose house overlooked the bandstand.
The stage curtains have gone mouldy
In the meantime there is a birthday party for 25 people booked and a wedding in August.
"I don't think there is too much of a challenge," say Henrietta. "I think the challenge will be getting the right partnerships working together and the right personalities in here."
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