I HAVE been listening to some upset people and have heard of many more who are up in arms and angry too.

The Learn Direct Claret Centre at Rastrick High School is being closed down suddenly, with very little notice. My own course is to be terminated well before the official date.

Why? Marvellous work is done there for so many within the community.
Those with poor skills in Eng-lish and maths can conquer their problems with relevant courses that make so much more of their students' chances of life.

Skills can be brushed up and lost confidence regained, new IT skills acquired to widen job opportunities and to help move with the times and then, of course, there are those who are learning for the satisfaction of study and the new needs for technical skills.

Is the centre not good enough then? Nothing could be further from the truth; it has had a string of successes.

Brenda Graham, featured recently in the local papers, became the Yorkshire and Humberside individual learner winner and is now a national finalist. The centre itself has won a top award and the staff have been singled out too.

Their motto is "Nothing can stop you when you learn direct" Oh really?

It is backed by the TUC; I wonder what they think.

I'm told the school is going to take over the Claret Centre and run something similar. What a waste!

You don't throw the baby out with the bath water for the sake of a new name and yet another new policy.

Calderdale is short of money. Well if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

(Mrs) Margot Lawson