An independent Ipswich bookshop is supporting young artistic talent by providing prizes for Ipswich MP Jack Abbott's constituency Christmas card competition, with the winning design set to reach thousands of local homes.
Ipswich MP Jack Abbott at Dial Lane Books in IpswichJack AbbottJack Abbott
Looking ahead: Schoolchildren who live or attend school in the Ipswich constituency have until 12:00 on 22 November to submit their designs through the MP's website.
The final three artists will be invited to a special event at Dial Lane Books on 29 November, where the winner will be announced.
Dial Lane Books on Dial Lane in IpswichOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk
The bottom line: The competition offers young artists a unique opportunity to have their work widely seen while supporting one of Ipswich's many brilliant independent businesses. Find out more at https://www.jackabbott.org/2024-christmas-card-competition.
Over 500 artists and industry leaders, including Harry Styles, Elton John and Stormzy, have backed Ed Sheeran's open letter to the government calling for urgent music education support.
Why it matters: The music industry brings in £7.6 billion to the UK economy annually, yet Sheeran warns the "next generation is not there to take the reins", with state schools seeing a 21% decrease in music provision.
The Suffolk superstar's letter appeals directly to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and other cabinet ministers, requesting £250 million for music education initiatives across the UK.
Ed Sheeran surprised more than 200 Ipswich students with an impromptu performance at The BathsElla CalverBrighten the Corners
The big picture: The campaign follows the January launch of the Ed Sheeran Foundation, which has already supported 18 grassroots music education organisations and state school music departments, impacting over 12,000 children.
By the numbers:
Over 500 signatures from artists, industry figures, educators and more
£250m requested for music education package
21% decrease in music provision in state schools
Last year marked the first in over 20 years without a UK global top-10 single or album
The details: The open letter outlines five key areas requiring support:
Funding music in schools, including a Music & Arts Pupil Premium
Training 1,000 new music teachers to address a 56% fall in recruitment
UK-wide funding for grassroots music venues, with 25% currently considering closure
Launching 500 music apprenticeships, addressing the 0.5% of apprenticeships in creative sectors
Diversifying the curriculum through an industry and teacher task force
What they're saying: "Learning an instrument and getting up on stage – whether in school or a community club – is now a luxury not every child can afford," writes Sheeran in the letter.
Joe Bailey, CEO at Brighten The Corners, which operates three full-time music venues in Ipswich, said: "We fully back Ed Sheeran's call for a rethink and change at the highest level. For such a huge global industry, the UK music curriculum in schools has no tangible links to the real world and doesn't represent how music has evolved, especially over the last 30-40 years. The curriculum is archaic, and young people are getting put off studying music by the end of years 7 and 8 and chose so early in their lives not to pursue music."
The bottom line: As Britain's music education faces what campaigners describe as a crisis point, Sheeran's foundation and letter represent a coordinated effort to secure cross-departmental government support for a sector that develops both cultural and economic value.
