Madam,

I have been made aware of a rather distressing cut in the Ceredigion Music Service by the council.

Thirty-five years ago I began learning an instrument through the music service and every day I could thank that service for making me who I am.

This has involved playing in the largest concert halls in the world, recording CDs, doing radio broadcasts and filling me with joy (whilst politics provides the complete opposite).

Today, I am a teacher who has in the past had pupils who have had scholarships into the Royal Colleges and had a way to express themselves.

In past issues of the Cambrian News, there had been mention that the new curriculum should ?be ‘creating ambitious, capable learners who are enterprising, creative contributors as well as ethical, informed citizens and healthy, confident individuals’.

Remarkably it mentions creative twice in their own proposed aim, so I am perplexed as to how ruthlessly cutting a fundamental creative resource to the very bone is supporting their own aims and purpose. 

A letter in the Cambrian News from a lady from Harlech reflected sadly on the number of children walking the streets and the loss (due to cuts) of things they can do.

Do you actually think lessening the opportunities for young people to socialise and become engaged in something meaningful and structured is going to improve this social problem? 

Lastly, I have often waxed lyrical on how Wales supported the arts in its curriculum, culture and society. Also it has supported the Eisteddfodau, which are a bastion celebrating a fundamental part of how Wales is seen from other parts of the UK and beyond.

It is, quite frankly, a sign of the hypocrisy of our political times that a council trumpets the fact that they are bringing one of these fundamental celebrations to the area and then revokes the funding for those who could participate in these events in the future.

Perhaps if those making the decisions took sensible pay cuts then schools would not be closing, teaching assistants would not be axed, social services would not be struggling, and it would lessen the need for privately or crowdfunded food banks and maybe, just maybe, politicians would not get the panning that they currently deserve.

Yours etc, R Jones, Maesceinion, Waunfawr, Aberystwyth.

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