THE man who is calling for a University of Cumbria has officially declared Ambleside's new student library open, writes education reporter Jennie Dennett.

Sir Brian Fender, who has just released a report on the future of higher education in the county, unveiled The Charlotte Mason Library at St Martin's College.

"This library will be a jewel in the crown of the college for many years to come," said Sir Brian, expressing added satisfaction that it provided quality facilities for St Martin's trainee teachers "that most important profession".

He used the occasion to reiterate his vision for a network of campuses in Cumbria working together to create all the attributes of a single university a network he called the University of Cumbria. The institutions will include St Martin's alongside the Cumbria Institute of the Arts in Carlisle and the University of Central Lancashire's campus at Newton Rigg, Penrith, which offers courses in outdoor education, sport and environmental sciences.

St Martin's College principal Professor Chris Carr added his support: "There is a lot to do in higher education in Cumbria and we in St Martin's College with our partners are determined to do our bit."

The plush new library designed by Cox and Allen and Capita DBS was completed in February after more than a year of building work. It is roofed and walled with 460 tonnes of Westmorland Green Elterwater Slate and contains enough cable to reach from the base to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. Inside, there are 70,000 books and three IT rooms packed with computer kit.

The college expects the library will help student recruitment and retention and points to the £2 million building as a mark of its commitment to education in Cumbria.

The opening ceremony passed off peacefully without disruption from the Ambleside Tenants and Residents Association, which had threatened to stage a protest.

Residents are unhappy with college plans to open up an access on Castlefield for delivery traffic. But since the plans have not yet been pursued with highways authority Cumbria County Council, resident Lydia Wenlock said people had called off the action.

But she criticised the college for not including residents on the ceremony guest list and for a lack of consideration.

"I think it would have been common courtesy for them to have written to residents to thank them for putting up

with the building work," she said.

May 29, 2003 17:00