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EMOTIONS are running high in Ambleside as news of the University of Cumbria's plans to withdraw undergraduate courses from the town were labelled "unthinkable" this week by staff, students and members of the wider community.

Response to the proposals prompted a public meeting where some speakers were moved to tears at talk of the severance of the town with its 120-year association with teacher training and education.

Others at the meeting, organised by university students, pledged to make their objections heard, despite the absence of any offer of public consultation by university bosses.

The move, which was first reported in The Westmorland Gazette last week, will see the former St Martin's College turned into a specialist postgraduate, short course and distance learning centre with new conference facilities for private delegates.

It was described as an "exciting time" by vice chancellor of the university, Prof Chris Carr, but has been met with furious disapproval from the community, which claims the loss of students from the area will have an irreversible impact on the town's economy.

As the news sank in this week, traders and publicans also worried over the economic repercussions of the loss of undergraduate students in the town.

Full story and letters in The Gazette.

10:33am Friday 28th March 2008

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