I WRITE with reference to the letter of October 30, from Mrs Robinson of Hunger Hill.

As the drop-in is well used, then it would seem that there was a need for one. As drop-in centres are designed to improve the community, be they for drug users, mental health, disabled people or just for people to get to know each other, then if drop-ins did not exist, the people who use them would suffer.

Why is it that people complain AFTER planning permission has been granted. If I remember correctly, the fact that planning permission for this particular drop-in was to be applied for, was published in the BEN. This surely, should have been when any complaints about the plans, should have been made.

I hope that Mrs Robinson never has the need to use a drop-in centre for any reason. But if she or any member of her family do ever have the need, she will very quickly realise just how good a job drop-ins do.

I personally attend five different centres every week, and myself and all other users would not be without them. In fact I am the chair of an organisation which helps drop-ins run effectively.

If I had the money I would buy property to open more, because they are needed in all areas of community life.

Mrs M A Willis

(Bolton Woman of the Year)

Lavender Road, Farnworth.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.