With the forthcoming borough election on the horizon, can I suggest to some of our local delegates to focus on what Epsom is actually good at!  Instead of the usual empty promises on the manifesto, isn’t it time Epsom recognised it’s achievements and history in the arts.  We are not just famous for salt and a 3 minute horse race each year!

We have one of the best university of art in the country and a world renowned dance school right here in the borough.  Not to mention Nescot which offers university level photography and music production courses.  We also have a full size modern theatre, the Epsom Playhouse.  Yet any casual visitor to Epsom is at pains to notice any evidence that the town has a rich history of creative and artistic talent and some excellent architecture.  When visitors arrive into Epsom via train the first thing people see is a faceless poorly built block of flats!  Can we not have some sculpture in the town?  Something thought provoking and modern which undeniably says this town is about the arts and not just a horse race.

I would like to see some sort of celebration each year of our local creative population.  If we had the Epsom Festival of Arts it could become a show piece not just for our talented residents but as a way to show off Epsom as a town. We could have art and photography exhibitions, theatre productions, dance shows, live music and art classes all over the borough each year.  This would need some co-operation from the UCA, Epsom Playhouse and Laine Theatre Arts but would also require some input from our local council and residents.

Whichever local delegate wishes to support and promote the town’s rich culture will get my vote.

John McMurtrie

Epsom