RIP TAPS (UK)

Subject: RIP TAPS
From: Surreysinger
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 02:11 PM

Just found this sad message in my Inbox ...
" After nearly 19 years, TAPS is closing its doors. The withdrawal of essential funding has meant that we can no longer sustain the operation of the organisation. From 25 April 2008 the work that TAPS began and developed will continue in the further work of those who have guided it.

The board and staff would like to thank all who have made the work of TAPS possible: clients, partners, funders, audiences and workshop participants … and the scores of musicians, dancers and other artists who have contributed their time and skills to make it possible for us to push the barriers, take the risks and ask the difficult questions in our quest to make taking part in traditional music and dance in England something which is accessible, creative and intercultural.

That quest is not over…

Boka Halat, under the partnership of Musa Mboob and Roger Watson, will continue to be available for festivals, concerts, ceilidhs rural touring and a full education programme: www.bokahalat.co.uk - [e-mail]

Singing and songwriting, music and composition, dance and choreography projects, based on a creative view of English traditions, will continue to be led by Roger Watson: www.rogerwatson.co.uk - [e-mail]

Drum Runners Trading, a partnership of Paul Midgley and Jason Knight, will continue to lead work in Immigration Removal Centres, community music projects and the newly launched, inter-genre Collision Course project: www.drumrunners.org - [e-mail].

We hope to see you in the future.

TAPS "

Subject: RE: RIP TAPS
From: sian, west wales
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 02:18 PM

That is very sad (infuriating as well). Roger has been a friend to our organization, trac.

sian

Subject: RE: RIP TAPS
From: nickp
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 02:28 PM

How sad... so much for funding the Olympics...

Subject: RE: RIP TAPS
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 03:32 PM

Onward and upward to Roger, Musa and the rest of the TAPS chaps. It really is a sad day, but hopefully there will be new opportunities winging your way soon.

Subject: RE: RIP TAPS
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 04:07 PM

For those of us who don't have a clue, this is the Traditional Arts Project. Sorry to hear of its demise.

Subject: RE: RIP TAPS (UK)
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Apr 08 - 04:18 PM

Oh--I thought you meant 'Last Post'! No more bugling in UK!

Sorry, I'll get me coat.

Subject: RE: RIP TAPS (UK)
From: Surreysinger
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 06:24 AM

Whoops - thanks for that katlaughing .... having known of TAPS for so long I made the classic mistake of assuming everyone did. It seems that the "business" is now in the hands of the Official Receiver - I find that immensely sad.

Subject: RE: RIP TAPS (UK)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 07:25 AM

What was it?

Subject: RE: RIP TAPS (UK)
From: Geordie-Peorgie
Date: 25 Apr 08 - 09:15 AM

'Sad' isn't the word for it!

It was TAPS (under Roger W's magnificent guidance) that mooted ideas like the superb, but sadly short-lived,'Alianza' (Show Of Hands & Tim Laycock melding ideas with trad Chilean musicians)and God knaahs how many other collaborations - Aah knaah of aboot 12 but aah bet there's hunnerds!

Hey but! The funds'll be gannin' tiv a really good cause somewhere else - Aah think the Attorney General's office needs decoratin' again! It's been nearly 6 months since it wez last done.

So that's where it'll be gannin'