Millennium Dome
The Millennium Dome RIP: an amazing day and a funky bag
History sometimes plays tricks on us. In the weight of received opinion it's possible to develop a viewpoint on something that while seemingly based on experience is simply constructed of other people’s received prejudices. I feel that opinion on the Millennium Dome falls into this category. People who never went would go on and on about how it was rubbish. If you ever questioned them about going there to see for themselves they would simply respond by saying they couldn’t go because it was such rubbish. Case proven?
Troubled history
In reality, our opinion of the Dome and its 'massive extravagance' was an attempt by the right-wing press aided by a few miserablists to take a pop or several at the Blair government. All the stories were so hyped up: there was chicanery, corruption and inefficiency, so obviously the building and the experience within were bound to be dreadful. Thus are myths born. What is forgotten was that the Dome was a Tory concept first seeing the creative light of day in 1994 and the contracts for its specification and administration were to be signed off by John Major when the 1997 election intervened. The corporate sponsorship concept predated the Labour government. Tony Blair realised that to say 'yes' would cause much discussion but saying 'no' would cause considerably more fuss and ensure the press could forever label the government as killjoys.
Spaced out
That was its troubled history: what about its design and construction? It was designed by Lord Richard Rodgers and looked like a fantastic illuminated spacecraft moored in the Thames. Looking at photographs for this piece reminded me of how visually stunning it is, particularly at night when a gorgeous azure lit this bleak corner of the Thames.
A good time was had...
I visited it on a beautiful summer’s day in 2000 with a group of young people with learning disabilities from West London. The sheer size of the Dome is awesome. Underneath this canopy a show was performed with kites and trapeze and stilt walkers wearing vibrant, stylised costumes. The young people thought that it was fantastic and so did I. The staff were unfailingly charming and helpful ensuring that any problem could be resolved with a minimum of fuss. Surrounding the central arena were clustered a group of themed attractions. I particularly liked Home Planet where we travelled in little pods looking in wonder at the beautiful diversity of humanity. There was also the Learning Zone where we were in a schoolroom to discover the thrill of learning. That is why I feel sadness for the loss of the Dome. For all its flaws, it was a day out suggesting a positive image of modern London where a good time could be had by all. The site now sadly lies idle. Despite all the negative publicity, visitor surveys carried out at the time supported my impressions. Let’s hope that a wonderful site and a beautiful building will have a renaissance in the 2012 Olympics. I still have a funky souvenir bag made of recycled tyre rubber from the Dome with motto: 'One amazing day'. It was.
Did you like the Dome?
Or did you think it was rubbish? Contact London R.I.P and tell us about it.
