PERSONAL LETTER to the NEWCASTLE HERALD: (14th June 2020)

AFTER reading the history of the Wickham School of Arts, who could not agree with Ross Edmonds (Letters, 9/6) that the Wickham School of Arts building should be restored and re-purposed?

In 1876 a group of citizens came together to form a school of arts group to initiate a meeting weekly for readings and recitations.

In 1880 a committee was established to raise funds so that a school of arts building could be built in Wickham to provide a place for learning and entertainment. Mr AA Dangar donated the land and the committee set about raising funds. Mr Dangar was again very generous, giving a further 800 pounds in 1881. Throughout 1881 there were many concerts and fundraising events, the major one being a four-day Grand Bazaar held in November, with women being invited to contribute.

Peter Bennett was chosen to be the architect to design the building and it was described in great detail in the Newcastle Morning Herald and the Miners Advocate on June 22, 1882. However when the foundation stone was laid on June 22, 1882 together with copies of the Sydney Morning Herald, the Newcastle Morning Herald, the Newcastle Despatch and a few coins of the realm, there was doubt as to whether the committee should proceed with a single storey building due to costs. A few business men favoured the two storey building and gave security for the building to proceed as designed by the architect. Also the Member of Parliament Mr Fletcher promised to match pound-for-pound some of the funds raised by the committee.

Meanwhile, fundraising continued and finally on December 14, 1882 the Wickham School of Arts was officially opened. Unfortunately, with the fitting- out costs the total cost had risen to 2500 pounds and the security holders were left holding a debt of 1500 pounds. Consequently fundraising had to continue to eliminate the debt.

You have to admire the tenacity and drive of the citizens of Wickham in the 1880s. Many present day Hunter Valley residents' forebears were among those responsible for the building coming to fruition. Among them was my husband's great grandfather William Lindus who served on the original committee and was also mayor of Wickham serving several terms during the 1880s.

What would they think today if they could see how we had treated the legacy that they had fought so hard to establish for the benefit of all citizens regardless of social standing? This was before such things as art galleries and public libraries and benefitted many others besides Henry Lawson.

Pamela Lindus, Belmont North