Reader’s letter: Use stones to bring in tourists

There is understandably a lot of uproar over Newark and Sherwood District Council’s rather expensive plans to display the Kiddey Stones.

Clearly these are important and notable artworks and should be on display, but the current plans leave a lot to be desired and for a very hefty price tag.

It would have been nice to see them incorporated into the building of the ASI, given Kiddey’s link to Newark College, as though bringing a piece of his legacy to the new site.

Alternatively, since they are suggested as being part of a future art trail around the town — why not make them into the trail itself.

There are four panels, which could be displayed in different locations around the town to encourage people to walk between them.

If designed properly, they could purposefully send footfall through places like the market, Buttermarket and Cartergate, subsequently encouraging more passing trade for the town’s businesses.

It could be marketed as a kind of interactive attraction which also takes in other Newark sites along the way, so people could really make a day of it, reminiscent of the pop-up sculpture trails which have been successful in cities across the country, while still honouring Kiddey’s history.

As it stands, Castle House is not much of a tourist destination, and aside from councillors and staff — and the odd curious commuter coming from the station — the stones surely won’t get the visitors they deserve. — C. ATKINSON, Newark.