Last updated at 14:30, Friday, 29 January 2010

Rory Stewart does well to bring attention to the difficult situation regarding the University of Cumbria with its unbelievably huge deficit (The Cumberland News, January 22).

If Newton Rigg were to fall prey to the funding crisis this would be a tragedy and must not be allowed to happen.

Many of us are proud of this college and value its contribution to the training of young farmers, currently and in the past.

Not only has Newton Rigg trained local farmers, engineers and foresters, it has hosted many a happy rural event.

I helped at Pony Club camps, hosted at Newton Rigg. In other words, Newton Rigg has a special place in our affections.

I agree, therefore, that pressure must be brought to ensure this campus survives and develops.

Rory Stewart needs to campaign hard to bring attention to, and amend the plight of, this, our local agricultural college.

Further, he should realise that Newton Rigg is substantially a college for further, rather than higher, education; that is its training is largely focussed on distinctive occupations rather than vaguely ‘academic’.

We should invigorate apprenticeship and work-related courses, and consolidate further education and not confuse it with degree courses and restrictive academic study.

If Newton Rigg is suffering within the University of Cumbria it could align itself differently, perhaps within a consortium of further education institutions.

We need a rescue plan for this campus and informed planning. Only then can a future of any sort be envisaged for Newton Rigg.

MRS J KERR
Address supplied

First published at 14:12, Friday, 29 January 2010
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk