Talent on stage!

INDIAN drummers and a choir of some of the borough s most angelic school children brought smiles and lifted the hearts of an audience at the cultural launch event. Brent s Culture Strategy takes centre stage as the borough showcased some of the best tal

INDIAN drummers and a choir of some of the borough's most angelic school children brought smiles and lifted the hearts of an audience at the cultural launch event.

Brent's Culture Strategy takes centre stage as the borough showcased some of the best talent in the country, including Kilburn's Tricycle Theatre and cinema, drummers Dhol to Dhol and the inspiring voices of Brondesbury's Malorees Junior School Choir.

Roy Clare, chief executive of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, launched the new Brent Cultural Strategy 2010 to 2015 in the Learning Zone at Wembley Stadium, on Thursday last week.

The strategy is the first time that partners from Brent businesses, arts, sports and learning providers in the area have worked together with Brent Council to develop a shared cultural strategy for the borough.

Mr Clare said: "The incredible diversity of Brent's communities is also reflected in the rich cultural offering available in the borough from iconic venues to the wide range of festivals each year.

"This strategy recognises that culture is an opportunity, not a cost, in challenging times, and that it can be at the centre of delivering an authority's strategic priorities.

"I am delighted to take part in the launch of Brent's culture strategy, and the recognition that the council has shown in the power of cultural services to make a real difference to people's lives."

The vision is that by 2015 Brent believes in culture as a catalyst for improving the quality of life of everyone who lives or works in the borough regardless of their individual circumstances.

Brent's culture will be the direct product of people's sense of pride, identity and connectedness and will provide a route for harnessing and developing the local distinctiveness of the borough.

Rachel Evans, chairwoman of the Brent Culture, Sport & Learning Forum, that produced the strategy, said: "We thank everyone who took part in preparing this cultural strategy and helped shape this final document.

"With private and public organisations working together to the same objectives we will be able to achieve a shared vision for culture in Brent.

"Culture makes a major contribution to the development of dynamic, thriving communities. It also plays a crucial role in tackling social exclusion, encouraging healthier lifestyles, promoting safer communities and is a catalyst for lifelong learning."

The council commits to using the eight principles to influence its detailed strategies for each of its main cultural services; parks, sports and physical activity, libraries, arts and festivals, museums and heritage.

The eight principles are:

enhancing cultural vibrancy.

increasing participation.

raising the profile of culture.

encouraging young people to take part.

developing public spaces.

making the most of London 2012 and other major events.

supporting the cultural economy, and

promoting health and wellbeing.