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Shock axing of elderly centre's leisure courses
Elderly face cultural bleak mid-winter
HUNDREDS of older people face a cultural bleak midwinter following a decision by Leighton-Linslade Town Council to withdraw funding for daytime activities at the Duncombe Drive Day Centre.
As a result those who attended classes such as ballroom dancing, creative writing, painting and drawing, digital photography and computing will have to find alternative ways to fill their free time.
The Sunday afternoon film shows at the centre, which were popular with wheelchair users because of the easy access, have also been axed.
News of the cut was revealed at a meeting of the town council's senior citizens' steering group committee.
Council leader Brian Sadler told the committee that the officer responsible for organising the activities, Steve Stokes, was being made redundant for financial reasons.
Mr Stokes, who celebrates his 60th birthday on Christmas Day, said being told he was heading for the dole queue was "a bolt out of the blue."
"I'm due to leave at the end of November and needless to say it's not the best of times to be out of work," he said.
"I was told that it was for financial reasons and no reflection on my abilities, which is some comfort, I suppose.
"It's a shame for all those people who are going to lose out and the ones I have spoken to have said how disappointed and upset they are.
"I was looking forward to using my bus pass to get to work, but that's not going to happen now."
All is not lost, however, because some tutors have said they are prepared to continue courses – for a price.
"Obviously, the courses will no longer be subsidised by the town council and those who want to attend will have to pay the full fee," said Mr Stokes.
"I am also hoping to carry on working from home arranging coach trips, which have been really popular, and I'd just like to say that the trip to Blenheim Palace on November 21 will go ahead and there are still some seats available."
Town clerk, Pat Kingsnorth, said the leisure and community committee's proposal to withdraw the funding was endorsed by the full council for "purely financial reasons."
"Some of the classes did have a low-level of support," she said. "The Wednesday film club and the tea dances will continue."
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Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
