PHOTO EXHIBITION AT THE OLD NATWEST

We are pleased to announce that our Grand Hall will be used this Friday (18th January) for a photography exhibition. Arranged by students from the University of Wales, Newport, this event is part of their 2nd year project.

The project entitled 'Money & Communities' aims to bring to light both the positive and negative effects that money has had on our communities. The exhibition opens at 6pm this Friday in the Old NatWest Building, 113-116 Bute Street. Entry is free for all – so if you fancy seeing some wonderful photography and are interested in  how our economy has affected us, please come down.

http://www.theoldnatwestbuilding.co.uk/

 

OLD NATWEST BUILDING WELCOMES BUDDING AUTHORS

The Old NatWest Building played host to aspiring authors yesterday as Candy Jar Ltd, a publishing and video production company based in the building, held a self-publishing workshop.

The twenty-strong group were inspired as they entered the marble hallway before being taken up to the 2nd floor conference room for their introduction to one of the fastest growing markets in the world. The workshop took place between 10am and 3pm and covered everything from cover design to editing to self-marketing. Including talks from former HarperCollins editor Rebecca Lloyd-James, ex-WAAF Officer and author Eileen Younghusband, former boyband member and author Terry Cooper, and along with other industry professionals, the workshop was an enormous success.

The day concluded with a short networking session, allowing those in attendance to ask questions and meet the authors.

From left to right: Carly Holmes,
Laura Foakes, Stella Wells,
Jane Fraser, Noelle Bryant

Several entrants and winners of the South Wales Short Story Competition also attended the event including overall winner Laura Foakes who, along with the other winners, will have their entries published in an ebook anthology soon, with a paperback to be released next year.

Overall competiton winner
Laura Foakes and her prize

Everyone was extremely satisfied with the day's events, whilst their only criticism was that they wanted more. With their heads filled with information and inspiration, the soon-to-be authors left the building happy and some even sneaked a peek of the Grand Banking Hall on their way out.

The Old NatWest Building has a range of rooms available for events such as this self-publishing workshop. We can cater to all your needs and offer extremely good rates. For more information about what we can do for you, please head to our website http://www.theoldnatwestbuilding.co.uk/

CASUALTY AT THE OLD NATWEST

The cast and crew of 'Casualty' descended on to Bute Street yesterday on the doorstep of the Old NatWest.

Emergency services vehicles, a large scaffolding rig and Kathleen 'Dixie' Dixon (Jane Hazlegrove) were all present for the shoot. We have no details as to the plot of the episode but what we can tell you is that it looks sure to be brilliant.

Our resident concierge and newly appointed building photographer, John Munton, managed to take a few snaps of the set before landing himself a photo with 'Dixie herself'. Check out the photos below.

John and Jane 'Dixie' Hazlegrove

Be sure to catch 'Casualty' every Saturday on BBC One at 8.55 pm.

BANKING HALL HOSTS FANTASTIC EVENT

The Old NatWest Building Banking Hall opened its doors to the Public Affairs Cymru Summer Reception yesterday – and what a wonderful reception it was!

Mick Antoniw AM, Chair of the Standards of Conduct Committee, was the guest speaker and further entertainment was provided by the fantastic Cardiff-based Keith Little Jazz Band, who made the evening go with a swing!

Everybody seemed to have a great time and all agreed that the refurbished venue looked stunning.

If you would like to hire the Banking Hall for a similar event contact us on 07753 827886 or email info@expertlease.co.uk



UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS CANCELLED!

It was recently announced that the remake of the 1970s BBC show ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ has been cancelled. The unfortunate news came after a wave of negative critical responses and a low performance in the ratings.

Upon being revived, the first season of the Victorian drama managed to attract an impressive 7.5 million viewers. However, this success was not to continue as the second series closed to a slimmer audience of 4.5 million, 6 million behind ITV rival, ‘Downton Abbey’.

Here at The Old NatWest, we are genuinely saddened by the news. After playing host to the show on many occasions, it is a shame that we will no longer be working together. Both the cast and crew were a joy to work with and we are sorry to see them go.

It’s not all bad news though. This August will see Matt Smith return to charm us in the seventh season of Doctor Who. All of us here are preparing ourselves for what we are certain will be an emotional goodbye from Amy and Rory. After two seasons assisting the Doctor, it has been announced that they will depart from the show halfway through the new season.

Filling the large void that will be left by the quirky couple is former Emmerdale actress, Jenna Louise-Coleman. There is no footage of Jenna in the Whovian world as of yet, only an on-set pictures and a rumoured name of Clara. Despite the lack of information we are still really excited about the return of the Doctor. The series seven premiere will be held at the Edinburgh International Television Festival.

OLYMPIC DANCING IN BUTE STREET

With the Olympic Flame heading to Cardiff Bay the Old NatWest Building has been involved in an Olympics inspired dance film, ‘Dancing Parallel’. The film features 12 young dancers between the ages of 14 and 18 and will be shown in theatres throughout the UK to support the forthcoming Olympics. ‘Dancing Parallel’ is a groundbreaking collaborative effort from Scottish Ballet, English National Ballet and National Dance Company Wales.

Filmmaker, Nic Sandiland, filmed the routine in the disused vault and Banking Hall of the former bank. Student, Theo Llewellyn, 16, said: “The film is a fusion of different dance styles, from street – like myself – to more traditional forms like tap and ballet. We have all collaborated and come up with something we think is quite cool and unique.”

Overseeing the production is National Dance Company Wales Participation Officer, Isabelle Drummond. After filming had wrapped in the Old NatWest Building, Isabelle was thrilled with the results. She said: “We had a really great weekend filming in the bank – it is such an incredible space. I am really looking forward to seeing the end result.”

Although intended to promote the Olympic games, the film is also hoping to encourage young people to explore their cities and environments through dance and the free-running style – parkour.
In addition to bringing their own styles and influences to the piece, the dancers have also helped raise money for the project. Since being chosen for ‘Dancing Parallel’ 19-year-old Hannah Maloney, from Cwmbran, has raised £806 through a variety of methods including a duck race, sponsorships and donations from Dance World. She said: “I was quite shocked to be chosen, but it is a fantastic opportunity.”

By utilising the Old NatWest Building, the team working on ‘Dancing Parallel’ is aiming to send an Olympic message – that polar opposites can come together to create something truly special.

John Munton, concierge at the Old NatWest Building, feels the banking Hall’s Grecian-style pillars reflect the true spirit of the Olympics. He said: “The building has a sense of history. It has been used for many TV shows in recent times such as Upstairs Downstairs, Doctor Who and Being Human. It is gratifying to see the building used to celebrate such a world wide event.”

THE OLD NATWEST BUILDING JOINS FACEBOOK

The Old NatWest Building has launched its very own Facebook page. Please visit http://www.facebook.com/TheOldNatWestBuilding and 'like' our page.

BBC CHOOSES THE OLD NATWEST BUILDING

The Old NatWest Building was alight with stars last Monday as the cast and crew of ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ took to the banking hall for their latest shoot.
Former Spooks star Keeley Hawes was present, filming her scenes in the grand banking hall, which had been restored to a glimpse of its former glory, thanks to the talented set-design team who had transformed the space into a 1930’s Berlin cafe.

These pictures show the terrific work of the production team and remind us of the hall’s grandeur and fantastic architecture.

The stars of ‘Casualty’ also visited the building recently for a shoot outside, demonstrating the attraction of the site as a versatile filming location. They will be returning again in January to film additional scenes inside.

MEASURE FOR MEASURE

Sherman Cymru recently staged a new presentation of Shakespeare’s classic, Measure for Measure at the The Provincial (the new name for the Old Natwest Bank).

Directed by Sherman Cymru’s Associate Director, Amy Hodge, this production was an electric take on Shakespeare’s powerful social satire.

Measure for Measure is set in a society which is in turmoil. Its political leader appoints his hard-line deputy to rid the city of its sexual corruption. However, while the leader is away, we come to see that the deputy’s strict iron hand approach may not be the solution to the city’s problems.

Designer, takis comments:
“The imposing neo-classic building of the bank and its location (the old Red Light District of Cardiff) set the perfect environment for the staging of Measure for Measure, emphasising the main themes of the play, ‘sex’ and ‘power’. By deconstructing the old bank and creating a sex club we aim to offer the audience a multi-sensory experience through the Shakespearean text, enriched with live music, original composition, lights and movement. The multi-layered costumes underlining another theme of the play, the power struggle between the sexes.”

CARDIFF BAY LOCALS WANTED

A local production company, Hubbub Media, is looking for past and present residents of Cardiff Bay to come forward as interviewees for a not-for-profit documentary film about the Old NatWest Bank – the bank where the first ever million pound cheque is believed to have been presented.

The building, more formally known as 113-116 Bute Street, is currently owned by Saeed Shad, owner of Jupiter Properties, who acquired it in 2002. He said: “The architectural features are so unique and well-preserved I couldn’t resist buying it. As you step inside you really do feel as if you’ve travelled back in time.”

The film, due to be released online later this spring, is almost half way through production. Over the last few months the Hubbub team have collected footage and photographs of Cardiff Bay spanning from the beginning of the twentieth century up to the present day. However, their collection is still incomplete and they are keen to hear from anyone with information about the Old NatWest building.

The film’s director, Shaun Russell, is hoping to include as many local residents as possible in the making of the film and is looking for anyone with an interesting story to tell. He said: “We've already interviewed former NatWest employees and the present owner, but we still to speak to customers of the former bank. We hope to capture the sense of community that was an important part of the building’s character for so many years.”

The building boasts a number of distinctive architectural features including a spectacular banking hall, populated by columns of French Echaillon marble, as well as extensive underground vaults. Originally the Cardiff Docks branch of the National Provincial Bank, the building continued as NatWest until 2002, and is now used as office space for charitable and community-based organisations.

Excitingly, its unique features have also led to it being used as a filming location for a number of Doctor Who and Torchwood episodes for the BBC.

If you think you might be able to help with the making of the documentary, please contact Shaun or Justin at Hubbub Media on 029 2115 7202 or 07766 227 171.

OUR JOHN GETS POLICE GONG

We are proud to announce that John Munton, services manager at The Building With No Name, has been named the Community Safety Volunteer of the Year by South Wales Police Authority.

John received his award in recognition of his long standing involvement with Neighbourhood Watch and Crimestoppers. John said: “I am very proud and overwhelmed to have won this award. It really is unexpected. I do not do the work for any recognition, but it warms my heart to know that I am making a difference in the community.

Chair of the Police Authority, Councillor Russell Roberts, said: “John has been the epitome of a community safety volunteer. He works alongside the police in tackling local issues and is a key contact for the officers. I congratulate John on receiving this well-deserved prize.”