A busy bank holiday weekend at The Ropewalk reminds me of what is to come in the summer.

Being a building open to the public - free of charge 7 days a week - means that we are accessible and available to all, which from the point of view of introducing art to the public and developing audiences is seen as a good thing.

However it also means that we have to deal with large numbers of people who are not particularly interested in what’s on view but are just looking for a venue that fills the criteria for somewhere to take mother for a visit. Yes we have toilets, free adjacent parking, a coffee shop and oh yes, art but that is just incidental.

Bank holidays can be the busiest days of the year with several hundred people visiting but they are without exception the quietest sales days. I think if I did an analysis of the quantities of toilet rolls used together with the cost of utilities versus sales we could possibly be subsidizing the public ‘day trip’. Maybe I should apply for a grant to the council as a public toilet.

Cynicism over we have had some great moments this weekend. As part of the Museums and Galleries Month, print and paper maker Jonathan Korejko hosted a drop in session in Gallery One on how to make paper from old rope. He had plenty of takers and explained in his enthusiastic and knowledgeable way how paper can be made from most kinds of fibres. Visitors had the chance to get messy and create their own paper with many pleasing results.

Taking in for the open print exhibition went well with over 200 entries coming in from as far a field as London, Leicester and Sheffield. The selectors will make their decisions this Friday and the exhibition opens on Saturday June 7.

Sunday afternoon was the first date of the summer ‘Performance in the Park’ season held in Baysgarth Park, Barton. Now in its 4th year the programme started as in previous years with a concert by Barton Town Band. Although a touch chilly in the wind, approximately 100 people turned up to listen to a varied programme from rousing show tunes to more melodic sombre pieces, something for everyone. The interval was filled with a 15 minute performance by the junior band who performed well with a programme including a piece by Westlife –one way to keep the younger members interested. The band has a fantastic youth policy and the results are to be admired - a testament to all the efforts of tutors and young people involved.

With so many exhibitions, events and shows going on at the moment it’s a job to choose what to go to. If you do one thing cultural this week check out Midge Ure at The Plowright in Scunthorpe on Wednesday May 28. When Midge played at The Ropewalk last November he held the audience spell bound with his rich vocal tones and charisma, the introductions and stories between songs were so entertaining and it was a delight to see someone perform who obviously enjoys what he does.

Its half term this week so The Ropewalk turns its focus to ST-ART the charity based here that promote creative activities for the young. Unfortunately most of the activities are for the under 12’s but I may sneak into ‘How the Giraffe got its neck’ a production by Tall Stories in Ropery Hall, yes the target audience is four to seven year olds but I always find children’s theatre magical and can always explain my attendance as an evaluation visit!

Finally, on a very sad note I was distressed to hear of the untimely death of Barry Nettleton, arts manager for East Riding Council last Thursday night. Barry was a much loved character on the regional arts scene and he will be sadly missed by many.

Thanks for reading my first ever blog, I intend to write weekly on events at The Ropewalk and the arts in this area, I hope you find it interesting, if not don’t read it , you have a choice!