I would like to respond to the many negative letters that have been printed recently on the letters pages. For goodness sake, does no-one see the good in the town?

There have been numerous arguments about squirrels, congestion charges for people clogging-up town centre shops, personal insults regarding the Go Ape project and numerous other negative comments.

What about the good things happening in the town? For example, how proud we should all be that social care in Bolton is among the best in the North West?

The rating for Bolton Council in a review by the Commission for Social Care Inspections was “Excellent”.

What about the important work done by the council to ensure that all vulnerable adults are protected from being abused — that is something to celebrate. Ensuring that all older people are treated with respect, valued and involved in decision making is something that we should all think about.

How comforting it is to know that, in our old age, people are finally aware that we are still, essentially, the same person that we were at 19. Everyone is aware and horrified of the recent abuse suffered by children.

However, it is comforting to know that the protection of vulnerable adults is being put to the forefront in Bolton, along with the measures for the protection of children.

I would like to thank the statutory and voluntary agencies for their excellent work, including Age Concern, The Council for Voluntary Services, the Rotary Club of Westhoughton, Bolton Carer Support and Bolton Council. No one says thank you or well done, so I will.

Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy new year. Jean Jones, Clive Road, Westhoughton