A local veteran is hosting an art exhibition as part of his degree course to commemorate the Centenary of the end of World War One.
John Cutting, from Bishop Middleham, is a Fine Art student at Teesside University following a long military career. The exhibition features John’s work, his classmates and other veterans in the area and is open between 6-11 November, 11am-5pm at 10-14 Beveridge Way in Newton Aycliffe.
John served in the Royal Engineers for four years where he did two tours of Northern Ireland in 1972. He had a very hard return to civilian life after experiencing very traumatic events during his military service and struggled with depression, isolation and at his lowest contemplated suicide
It was then that military charities stepped in including SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity and Combat Stress. They helped John get to the point where he managed to understand and challenge some of his fears of socialising and encouraged him to establish a stable home environment.
As John had little in terms of household items, SSAFA was called in to support him making his house a home and gained funding from the SAS Regimental Association for what was needed.
Once his confidence grew, John, a keen artist, looked to pursue a Fine Arts degree and enrolled at Teesside University. As a mature student, John didn’t qualify for a full student loan and so he approached SSAFA who was able to find funding from the Royal Engineers Association to help with general expenses, as well as a bursary from the Army Benevolent Fund.
Speaking of the support offered by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity and his upcoming exhibition, John said:
“I am very much looking forward to the opening of the exhibition and look forward to welcoming people.
“I am about to start my second semester at the University of Teesside, which without the financial help I have received from SSAFA, I don’t know whether this would have been possible.
“Although people may just see an offering of financial help, it all makes for a holistic package of support. Combat Stress got me on my feet and SSAFA made it possible to stay standing up.”
To visit the exhibition, head down to 10-14 Beveridge Way, Newton Aycliffe between 6-11 November, 11am-5pm.