I AM one of a small group of senior citizens who, over the past few years, have attended a woodwork workshop in the Arts and Crafts Centre in Broad Street, Bury.

From time to time there have been indications that we were not altogether welcome and there have been previous attempts to remove us. In fact, an article in the Bury Times on the last occasion helped our cause.

Now, invoking health and safety regulations, the Arts and Crafts people have cancelled our workshop. In response to the prevailing compensation culture, health and safety regulations have become quite stringent, in some cases, absurdly so. The Arts and Crafts authorities have taken advantage of this.

In my opinion, it is their neglect of the Arts and Crafts centre, which is a listed building, that is largely responsible for these regulations now not being met.

I received notice of he closure from a Mr Des Finn, whose title is "head of life-long learning service". It seems strange that in this capacity, Mr Finn is turning people out of a place of learning.

This is yet more evidence that these days Bury is not run for the benefit of its people.

D. S. McPHERSON,

Bolton Road, Bury.