Watermans Arts Centre

A planning deal was made with the developer of offices adjoining the current site which, along with the Trust's money, paid for the construction.

In fact, the term Acid Jazz was originally coined by DJ Gilles Peterson at one of Nicky Holloway's Special Branch gigs at the Watermans in late 1987.

[7] Gilles Peterson recollected that "Acid jazz happened when Bangsy and me were playing at the Waterman's Art Centre in Brentford.

An Evening of Contemporary Sitar Music took place in the foyer to act as a prelude to a screening of the film Wings of Desire.

Peter Kember, Jason Pierce and Will Carruthers were joined by Rugby musician Steve Evans.

"[9] Robert Rankin held a position as the Writer in Residence of Watermans during the 1980s and organised a regular poetry event which he claims was the largest in Britain.

A year ago a jogger called John Olssen reported seeing the bird as he was running by the arts centre.

[12] Doctor Alda Terracciano argued that "the last decade has witnessed the rapidly increasing achievements of a number of British Asian playwrights, directors and actors – a trend fostered by the support of venues such as the Watermans Arts Centre," noting that the comedy circuit benefited from Watermans' support through the regular 'One Nation Under a Groove...Innit' event which "offered the opportunity to a number of emerging Asian comedians to exercise their skills before being cast in proper comedy dramas.

"[13] Actor Sanjeev Bhaskar's musical comedy double act "The Secret Indians (non-Asian)" performed at Watermans.

"[14] Other notable names who have appeared include Peter Greenaway, Elvis Costello, Mica Paris, Meera Syal, Melvin Bragg and Shabana Azmi.

Watermans presented a year-round programme of independent cinema, children's theatre, cabaret, dance, music, talks and creative workshops.