Karen Williams, chief operating officer, the Dart­ington Hall Trust, writes:

I was surprised and disappointed at the tone of your coverage on a new book on the history and relocation of Dart­ington College of Arts When they tore art out of Dartington, September 11.

As a former student, part-time tutor and founding member of the Save Dartington College Campaign, author Sam Richards includes many opposing perspectives and interpretations of events.

In pulling this book together, he has talked to college alumni, former staff, management and governors as well as former Dartington Hall Trust chief executive Vaughan Lindsay.

What emerges very clearly thoughout the book is something that most contributors agree on – the huge sense of loss felt by those who knew the college. Something we all share.

Importantly for me, Richards also covers the wider education funding policy context.

Dart­ington College of Arts was deemed ‘at risk’ by its main funder, the Higher Education Fund­ing Council, in the 2000s, after a financial rescue package in 1990.

Richards argues that the small college had difficulties meeting state-funded education system requirements due to limited economies of scale.

So I do not believe the book is as inflammatory as the story would have you believe but please don’t take my word for it. Support a local author and get a copy at the Totnes Book­shop.

And although Sam Richards and the College of Arts have left Dartington, art has not. It’s been a true pleasure and delight to see the wonderful response to our 76 Summer School concerts this summer.

And drawing on our long-standing craft tradition, Schumacher College is expanding our range of ‘learning by doing’ craft courses this autumn, from Spoon Camp to building your own tiny hut in the trees.