I AM a young person living in Mepal and I m writing in response to the proposed cuts that ADeC (Arts Development in East Cambs) is facing. This is a bad thing because the people in the community that appreciate the arts are losing out in a big way. ADeC

I AM a young person living in Mepal and I'm writing in response to the proposed cuts that ADeC (Arts Development in East Cambs) is facing. This is a bad thing because the people in the community that appreciate the arts are losing out in a big way. ADeC's role is to support the arts in all of its forms for the benefit of local people. They do this by providing a range of support to amateur, community and professional groups, individuals and visiting promoters, to encourage and maintain a vibrant and exciting range of arts activities.

I have learnt a lot from ADeC and am very angry to hear that they are facing these cuts. I am not alone on this either. Myself and many other people have benefitted from the help ADeC have offered us, be it through the Arts Award or an organisation to help the community. Not only has ADeC put me through my Bronze and Silver Arts Award, I am currently doing work experience with them as well. So they have actually helped me gain an extra qualification. ADeC never turn people away for this as their aim is to support everyone interested in the arts. If ADeC is cut, there are going to be a lot of people missing out on something that no one else can offer.

As well as running the Babylon Gallery and putting on events in the community such as Ely Cinema, ADeC offers support for small organisations such as Fenland Jam who have brought music back into Ely and the surrounding area. Without ADeC's support, advice and encouragement, they would be nowhere near as big and popular as they are today.

ADeC do a lot to help people all over the region with all sorts of different projects. Even little villages get the same attention as places such as Ely. If ADeC were cut out of the community by the council, could you really imagine one person in an office cubicle at the council putting the time and effort into reaching out to the smaller villages with less things going on? Can you really imagine one person in an office cubicle from the council going out to events and making sure things run smoothly?

ADeC offers so much to the community that losing them would be the biggest loss in a long time for the local area.

NAATALIE SZULC

Address supplied.