THERE was a time when Darwen had its own education department, and for a good number of years T B Willis, the Director of Education, had his office in Holker House in Railway Road. The building also housed a school clinic and school dentist.

Later Blackburn College took over Holker House and became responsible for further education in Darwen. All this seemed to work well for a time.

Now in order to cut costs Blackburn College has been getting rid of staff and closing buildings in Blackburn. Holker House will also be closed and could end up becoming another empty building.

Holker House provided a number of non-vocational subjects, such as crafts, calligraphy, genealogy and art to name a few.

Of course, people attend the classes to learn, but there are also a number of spin-offs. Non-vocational classes are enjoyable and everyone friendly.

Many students are elderly and going to classes gets them out of the house to meet up with like-minded people.

So how about the council taking over Holker House and providing non-vocational subjects?

Or why not buy the technical school in Knott Street -- it's still empty and it used to be the venue for further education.

DONALD KIMBERLEY, Duddon Avenue, Darwen.