By Isle of Wight Observer
Dear Editor,
In respect of the ferry difficulties, one aspect, I think, that is not given due consideration, is the cultural impoverished Island populous and, within them, most acutely our young people.
Firstly, let me say it is not my intention to denigrate the Island; we have many excellent museums and attractions. These however are limited when compared to those available to residents who live on the mainland. For example, we don’t have any open-air museums of living history like the Weald and Downland, Black Country Museum, Beamish Museum etc. We do not have proper purpose-built theatres, ice rinks, motor museums, museums of industry, the list is endless!
There are many excellent museums and attractions clustered around Southampton and Portsmouth which are tantalisingly close, but to those with even a modest income, they may as well be in London as the cost of travelling those few miles puts up an impenetrable barrier – even if many of the museums in those cities are free!
We as Islanders make up 0.2 per cent of the population; we are a minority, one that has been discriminated against for many years.
Governments come and go and do nothing while two private companies hold us to ransom and stifle opportunities for enrichment, education and entertainment available to every other UK citizen.
Susan Artress-Brown, Ryde