Sir,

You well know that the site of the beloved Cottage Hospital should not be offered for sale. It is the property given to the people of the town for the benefit of its inhabitants.

Prior to World War II, no property or site pertaining to the borough would have been sold as the councillors and alderman knew that the list of demands by town associates and societies was crying out for more sites.

As the years went by, the new councils and councillors wanted the status, but none of the responsibilities, so all were transferred to the county council. Both the town and county councils were interested in votes and the most interesting mode was the claim that Pembrokeshire had the lowest tax rates in the UK. So just nothing was planned, no planning took place. I hope they are proud!

The site should be transformed into a combination of a Senior Citizens Club and a decent Day Centre. The elderly would have good access to the site, good parking and only a short walk to some of the best views in the country. They could have good seating and picnic tables in good fresh air when the sun shines and eating facilities indoor when the weather changed.

The town is blessed with good elderly people who would appreciate these facilities and would take care of them - above all they deserve that site. So give them the chance.

I hear the screech from the councils, but we have put a Day Centre as part of the New Cottage Hospital. That was required, but put there because part of the finance available for a true hospital (not an extended clinic) was by-passed to make the centre. That should have been financed by the Social Services and/or NHS and put on the Old Cottage Hospital site.

As an elderly person, I would prefer to spend my days looking at the scenery there than the drab outlook of Gas Lane and Butts Field.

So the Butts Field Day Centre should be given a new way of life. There are volunteer associations and societies who cannot rely on having a room for meetings, so make such amenities available to Butts Field.

Let the Tourist Board and tourist operators finance their own industry and let taxation finance look after the elderly.

Ivor Jenkins,

23 Dombey Road,

Poynton,

Cheshire.