‘It is nice to see taxpayers money being spent so well’

8:20am Saturday 25th October 2008

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A HIGH-RANKING Government minister said a Northwich college was an inspiration to the community.

Jim Knight MP, minister of state for schools and learners, jumped on a train from London to Hartford to officially open Mid-Cheshire College’s new arts and creative media building on Thursday.

Mr Knight told the Guardian he was delighted with the facilities.

He said: “This is very exciting for the college and the town.

“It’s a big investment coming from the Government, which wants to invest in the community as a learning community.”

The £3.5million arts facility is the start of a massive £45million project to redevelop Mid-Cheshire College’s Hartford campus.

Mr Knight said: “It’s nice to see taxpayers’ money being spent so well.”

He added: “Buildings are great and can make a huge difference in inspiring people, especially in arts and creative media where things like natural light and space can make a huge difference – but that’s nothing without great teaching in it.”

Mr Knight was also interested talk to college students and pupils from its partner high schools to see the new national creative and media diploma in action.

This diploma is a qualification for students aged between 14 and 18 who want an insight into arts and media industries.

Mr Knight said: “It’s particularly exciting for me to meet the diploma students – I’ve been working for more than two years on developing this qualification so it’s really rewarding to find that the students are finding it motivating and rewarding.

“It’s working really well.”

Former student George Mainwaring, a town and county councillor, was impressed with the new building.

He said: “It was 1959 when I came here as an apprentice electrician with ICI.

“This college has always been progressive and it is excellent for the town and the community.”