MANY thanks for putting your article AXED on the front page of the LET (March 3) because this is something that affects all of our community; those currently engaged in non-vocational classes, those who have done so and those who might wish to in the future.

All is now lost to the community as a whole. Your article covers the situation well, but does not go far enough.

I have been a student at Blackburn College over many years and have progressed to gain a qualification, but the non-vocational classes are just as educational.

Not only do students who enrol for these classes indulge in a 'hobby' as you call it, but they also gain knowledge and experience in something they enjoy doing.

In addition, it enables to many to meet with like-minded people, exchange ideas, create something, learn a new skill, provide an opportunity for people to express themselves.

Because Blackburn College advocates access for all, everybody in the community has been able to participate, especially those who are physically challenged.

This is a very important aspect of the loss that the community now suffers.

For the retired, some of whom live alone, these classes have been a focus of their lives as well as 'engaging the brain' as Terry Morris says. The people of Blackburn are now being deprived of an essential facility.

Ian Clinton gives positive sound bites about classes being 'provided if money became available,' but this will probably not happen.

There are ways of constructing a lot of these courses in order to claim government funding, but it needs the will of the powers that be.

If all the colleges and universities around us can provide these classes, we are left asking ourselves why not Blackburn College?

Is it because there is another agenda, such as the pursuance of University status?

BARBARA RALPH, Whinney Lane, Blackburn.