Keeping busy with aviation issues, and here’s a new art class to enjoy
for one loved the snow on Sunday. It was great to get outside in the fresh, clean white snow and play with my dogs, but it soon resembled slush.
Through these days of lockdown, I have often thought that I should have spent time learning a foreign language or had taken an online singing class but work and aviation has kept me busy with a number of government consultations.
One such consultation is on night flights and residents need to respond by March 3. It is on the subject of night flights at Gatwick Airport and how they should continue carte blanche for the next two years. There is much in the way of international research on how aircraft noise at night, especially early morning, can have serious health ramifications such as heart attacks and strokes as well as creating light pollution that impacts wildlife. So, should Gatwick continue to fly 11,200 flights a year in the summer and 3,250 during the winter months? We know Gatwick is quiet at present and thousands of residents are enjoying newfound tranquillity, as is nature, but if you wish to have a say on this subject you need to take part. You don’t have to be put off by the 77 complex questions, simply send an email or letter to night.flights@dft.gov.uk or Night Flights Consultation, Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 4DR.
Our local aviation community and
Ienvironment group, CAGNE, which I chair, is having its virtual AGM on Friday February 5 at 7pm (register to attend here at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cagne-agm-2021tickets-135860826389 . This community group has reacted to the announcement last week by Gatwick Airport that they are going ahead with a second runway (G2) adding 90 extra flights a day: “Residents will receive a daily tsunami of planes during peak times with multiple departure routes and a significant increase in arrivals day and night.”
Gatwick plans to add 34,000 extra flights a year on top of the 285,000 (pre-Covid), creating about 618,000 extra tonnes of carbon plus nitrous oxide and vapours.
For those wanting to develop their creative skills in 2021, West Dean College of Arts and Conservation is launching a one year part-time Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design, which starts on Friday, February 12, 2021.
This new course offers an opportunity to develop practical and creative skills in a broad range of mediums and subjects, including drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture.
Students will identify a direction for their practice and future creative goals as they complete a portfolio of work, which will be suitable for applications to go on to study at a higher level, to show to galleries, or focus their ideas. All students are encouraged to apply regardless of previous experience
The flexible foundation certificate in art and design will be taught online through a mix of self-directed study, live study days and a student community hub. Students will expand their skills and experimentation through eight modules over one year, each comprising two selfstudy courses supported by two live study days, taught by specialist subject tutors from the short course programme at the college. In addition, there will be three individual tutorials, plus group tutorials and discussion on the student hub. All work will be submitted and assessed online and includes a portfolio of coursework, developmental sketchbook work, and a summary statement of 500 words.
Alison Baxter, School of Art head, said: “We have developed this new online course so that students, no matter where they live or what day-to-day commitments they have, can establish momentum and resilience in their creativity.
The online community of students and tutors will support them in developing competence and confidence in their creative skills as they work through this exciting programme that covers the core skills in art and design.”
www.westdean.org.uk/study/degreesand-diplomas/courses/online-foundationcertificate-in-art-and-design