Ivan's letter published in the Peterbrough Telegraph

In the face of a growing cynicism about the Games and their purpose, Danny Boyle and his teams of community volunteers and professional creatives have delivered a wonderfully diverse and rich celebration of all that London and Great Britain offers to the world.

Perhaps it’s also time for Peterborough to recognise the signs of a new confidence in itself and a new creativity in the way it presents itself to the rest of the country. This confidence can be seen everywhere: the newly refurbished museum and station, the highlights of the torch relay, the re-invigorated arts and heritage festivals, the success of the Male Voice Choir, and even, yes when the sun allows, the buzz around the fountains.

And there’s more on the horizon.

This week a new play IY Peterborough opens at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – a piece of theatre made in and inspired by the city. Meanwhile our Forty Years On project, in partnership with the city’s Archives, prepares to celebrate the Development Corporation by using it as the theme for a brand new musical theatre production next year. And then in 2014 there’s our own Danny Boyle-style community spectacle and play involving hundreds of volunteers which will highlight the city’s unique story.

In addition, the business world with its SideBySide project is harnessing further resources, the engine sheds are being measured up as future hotspots, and Chauffeur’s Cottage is being turned into a creative engine-room uniting national and local organisations and artists, such as Metal and Blok Collective, to inspire further projects.

I have no party political point to make, but a city council determined to invest in the arts, a confident Vivacity to deliver them, and a belief in heritage and community to underpin them, only needs a population to get behind it all to see Peterborough reclaim its role in the world as a great place to live and visit.

It could be our turn in the spotlight next!

Ivan Cutting

Artistic Director,

Eastern Angles,

St Peter’s Road,

Peterborough