Advertiser readers letters
Town’s vital role in making music must remain
Many residents and people from as far away as Melboume in Australia have been in touch to register their concern about the current threat to the world renowned Musical Instrument Craft (MIC) courses including the Violin School at Newark College.
King Charles visited the school as the Prince of Wales and was given a cello made by students.
An online petition has reached nearly 6,000 signatures (and rising) in a few days.
As portfolio holder for culture, heritage and the arts at Newark and Sherwood District Council, I want to assure everyone that this is of the utmost importance to me and my colleagues.
We know that councils are the gatekeepers of local heritage and cultural assets.
We have an excellent college, excellent staff and wonderful students, all with a willingness to find a solution.
From the many consultancies, policies and research papers, we know the importance of training for high-skilled valuable jobs through education in our town.
There will have to be some changes, but better solutions can come out of a crisis.
For context, in 2022 the creative industries were worth 6% of the UK economy.
It is a part of our national identity that keeps growing and doesn't rely on heavy infrastructure.
It grows where there is talent.
Newark overflows with talent, it is here, we aren't starting from a point where it needs building.
This must be recognised and supported as these courses are the grassroots of the creative industries.
We know that the UK City of Culture initiative identified happier, healthier, more fulfilled people and cohesive communities.
Just recently the BBC highlighted the risk to endangered crafts in the UK. Newark is unique in the UK and one of the few places in the world that keeps these ancient skills alive.
The web that connects Newark to the world of music spreads through orchestras, ensembles, amateur and professional music-makers.
Every musical note heard in civic ceremonies, on a sound-track, in a concert venue is dependent on the unseen hands of makers, restorers and repairers of those instruments.
The very people trained in Newark. — ROWAN COZENS, deputy leader Newark and Shenwood District Council and portfolio holder for culture, heritage and the arts.
Music school must stay open
I was incredibly shocked to read the news that the future of Newark’s world-renowned violin school could be under threat.
To say it would be a shame to see it go is an under-statement.
This is a prestigious course that really puts Newark on the map across the world and I am sure it brings many benefits to the town and district.
This is demonstrated by the sheer number of students who travel here from across the country and the globe to study at that school — all contributing to Newark’s economy.
Much more importantly though, all music needs instruments to create it — and instuments require people to make them.
No instruments — no music.
Newark is one of the few places in the country where this is taught.
This school cannot be lost. — R. MILLER, via email.
Our land is precious
The sustainable farming initiative is being scrapped by the government.
This has provided a package of land management schemes which enable farmers to get paid for looking after the environment as well as producing high quality food.
It has helped build farm resilience and improve productivity.
Scrapping it will lead to loss of habitat and species richness in our countryside, more chemical use, water pollution and soil degradation. Farmers want none of that.
Let’s get behind our farming community and support them in their fight for more sustainable farming. — MATTHEW SPOORS, Newark and Sherwood district councillor, Green Party.
Interesting times are ahead
As I write this letter, Reform has just caused a significant ‘stir’ in our politics, Labour lost a ‘safe’ seat and Tony Blair has been critical of Net Zero policies.
I seem to remember that, when the UK became the first major economy in the world to commit to reducing its carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, there was general agreement in Parliament and the idea was ‘nodded through; without a vote. But Labour then committed itself to an extra deadline: reaching clean power by 2030.
The Greens and Liberal Democrats still want to hit net zero faster, but the Conservatives have now slammed the brakes on their previous policy, and, for the first time, there is a mainstream party, Reform UK, openly questioning the need to reach net zero at all.
Some trade unions have become increasingly vocal about the need to ensure that there is a plan to protect jobs in any transition to green energy.
Government sources remain adamant that they are committed to Net Zero and point to the investments that have already been made toward achieving it and because keeping the commitment to clean power may be key to political survival beyond the next election.
Labour must remain solid on their Net Zero target because it was a manifesto commitment and because it is a point of distinction with the parties on the right.
Reform have now said that they will organise legal resistance to green projects in areas that they now control, with the willing support of their local electorates.
We should also remember that there are still the small matters of increased defence spending, nationalisation of steel production, threats of union strike action and the Trump tariffs to deal with as well as the overriding need for Growth in the economy.
There was an old Chinese curse which said: “may you live in interesting times”.
Could it be that we may all be suffering from just such a curse?
We should all fasten our seatbelts for a bumpy ride! — ROBERT SHEPPARD, Beckingham.
Web body
Many residents and people from as far away as Melboume in Australia have been in touch to register their concern about the current threat to the world renowned Musical Instrument Craft
(MIC) courses including the Violin School at Newark College. King Charles visited the school as the Prince of Wales and was given a cello made by students. An online petition launched at the weekend has reached nearly 6,000 signatures (and rising) in a few days. As portfolio holder for Culture Heritage and the Arts at Newark and Sherwood District Council, I want to assure everyone that this is of the utmost importance to me and my colleagues. We know that councils are the gatekeepers of local heritage and cultural assets. We have an excellent college, excellent staft and wonderful students, all with a willingness to find a solution. From the many consultancies, policies and research papers, we know the importance of training for high-skilled valuable jobs through education in our town. There will have to be some changes, but better solutions can come out of a crisis. For context, in 2022 the Creative Industries were worth 6% of the UK economy. It is a part of our national identity that keeps growing and doesn't rely on heavy infrastructure. It grows where there is talent. Newark overflows with talent, it is here, we aren't starting from a point where it needs building. This must be recognised and supported as these courses are the grassroots of the Creative Industries. We know that the UK City of Culture initiative identified happier, healthier, more fulfilled people and cohesive communities. Just this week the BBC highlighted the risk to endangered crafts in the UK. Newark is unique in the UK and one of the few places in the world that keeps these ancient skills alive. The web that connects Newark to the world of music spreads through orchestras, ensembles, amateur and professional music-makers. Every musical note heard in civic ceremonies, on a soundtrack, in a concert venue is dependent on the unseen hands of makers, restorers and repairers of those instruments. The very people trained in Newark.
Rowan Cozens
Deputy Leader Newark and Shenwood District Council Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and the Arts
Our land is precious.
The sustainable farming initiative is being scrapped by the government. This has provided a package of land management schemes which enable farmers to get paid for looking after the environment as well as producing high quality food. It has helped build farm resilience and improve productivity. Scrapping it will lead to loss of habitat and species richness in our countryside, more chemical use, water pollution and soil degradation. Farmers want none of that.
Let's get behind our farming community and support them in their fight for more sustainable farming.
Thank you
As I write this letter the date is 5 5 25 and Reform has just caused a significant 'stir' in our politics, Labour lost a 'safe' seat and Tony Blair has been critical of Net Zero policies.
I seem to remember that, when the UK became the first major economy in the world to commit to reducing its carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, there was general agreement in parliament and the idea was 'nodded through' without a vote. But Labour then committed itself to an extra deadline: reaching clean power by 2030.
The Greens and Liberal Democrats still want to hit net zero faster, but the Conservatives have now 'slammed the brakes' on their previous policy, and, for the first time, there is a mainstream party, Reform UK, openly questioning the need to reach net zero at all.
Some trade unions have become increasingly vocal about the need to ensure that there is a plan to protect jobs in any transition to green energy.
Government sources remain adamant that they are committed to Net Zero and point to the investments that have already been made toward achieving it and because keeping the commitment to clean power may be key to political survival beyond the next election.
Labour must remain 'solid' on their Net Zero target because it was a manifesto commitment and because it is a point of distinction with the parties on the right.
Reform have now said that they will organise legal resistance to green projects, in areas that they now control, with the willing support of their local electorates to ensure that there is a plan to protect jobs in any transition to green energy.
Government sources remain adamant that they are committed to Net Zero and point to the investments that have already been made toward achieving it and because keeping the commitment to clean power may be key to political survival beyond the next election.
Labour must remain 'solid' on their Net Zero target because it was a manifesto commitment and because it is a point of distinction with the parties on the right.
Reform have now said that they will organise legal resistance to green projects, in areas that they now control, with the willing support of their local electorates.
We should also remember that there are still the 'small matters' of increased defence spending, nationalisation of steel production, threats of union strike action and the Trump tariffs to deal with as well as the overriding need for Growth in the economy.
There was an old Chinese curse which said: "may you live in interesting times". Could it be that we may all be suffering from just such a curse? We should all fasten our seatbelts for a 'bumpy' ride!
