Vulnerable will be hardest hit

Following P.M. Douglas’s ‘wake up’ call last month (Courier Postbag) about the need to protect Bath Place Community Venture, a treasured community resource until a few days ago housed in the old library in Spencer Street, it was sad to find without warning its doors locked and public and volunteers alike, regardless of need, denied access.

Exacerbating the shock of this abrupt closure was a lack of any integrated alternative. The old library was an inclusive community space for a wide range of local groups providing many things; education, practical and spiritual help, social support and sheer enjoyment, as well as housing staff offices and the excellent Veggie-Table cafe, all under the same roof.

Since reduction in government funding to local councils and withdrawl of funding from Bath Place in 2010, it has struggled hard to exist with help from users and kind donors, giving both time and money.

Hardest hit are the most vulnerable of us, users, providers and volunteers alike. For the well-being of all, please ask councillors and MP Chris White to make good their commitment to localities, waste no time in finding an accessible integrated alternative and help us save Bath Place. - K.A. Gilloway, Leamington.