Martin Orbach, Founder and Director, Abergavenny Food Festival

Dear Richard

Alicia Rios has drawn my attention to the difficulties you are facing and I am writing to add my voice to the many others who are calling for the Arts Council of Wales to urgently rethink their decision to remove CPR's revenue funding.

As founder and Programme Director of the Abergavenny Food Festival, I am well aware of the precariousness of existence for independent not-for-profit organisations. I am also aware of the sustained commitment, dedication and clarity of purpose that is necessary to achieve the kind of reputation that you have achieved at CPR.

With small amounts of public funding you have been able to create something of truly international significance. Although the amounts are small they are nonetheless absolutely essential. They show that your work is appreciated and valued. But more than that, they offer the minimum amount of financial security that you need if you are to sustain work of this calibre over time.

Providing funding project by project is not the answer. It's a double whammy. While sapping your morale by removing the limited security you have, it also asks you to divert a greater amount of your limited resources to meeting funders' agendas. This is not the way to treat an organisation that has consistently delivered exceptional value for public money year-on-year for 20 years. Nor is it the way to nurture one of Wales’ all-too-few genuinely innovative and internationally-celebrated cultural institutions.

The ACW must find another way.

Yours sincerely

Martin Orbach
Director of Programming / Cyfarwyddwr Rhaglennu