From JENNIFER and MICHAEL FREEMAN, poetry readers
While recognizing the difficulty of the decisions that the Arts Council faces, we wish to express our utter dismay at the imminent withdrawal of the grant to Arc Publications.
Over many years Arc has achieved a most distinguished and distinctive status. It has built up a truly innovative and proudly international list of poetry publications, and yet remains the Northern-based press whose publications and personnel have sustained a crucial presence in the regional and local community's cultural development.
This combination of qualities - a difficult commitment at the best of times - is precisely what the Arts Council has always been concerned to support. So if there is any possibility of reviewing the announced programme of cuts, we urge the Council to seek ways of continuing its vital support for Arc.
We write not only as enthusiastic purchasers of Arc's books over decades, but also as individuals with lengthy experience in education and publishing - and thus well able to measure the importance of Arc's presence and achievement.