MADAM, I am a volunteer for the Royal Voluntary Service Friday Lunch Club.

Regarding the assurance from Councillor Chris Bartrum that the Ryefield Centre is not closing, the fact is that although this is true, many local organisations have had the door closed to them and they have been told they are no longer able to use the facilities after March 2014.

Some of these organisations have been able to find alternative accommodation to run their projects but for others it is no so easy.

The Royal Voluntary service Friday lunch club has been held at the Ryefield Centre for over 20 years and is thriving. The food is cooked in the organisation's kitchen adjacent to the hall and volunteers dress the tables with cutlery, flowers and matching serviettes. The 30 members, many of whom have attended continually for close to 20 years, are brought to the club by the Ross Action bus and its volunteer drivers, as many of them would not be able to access any other form of transport due to their lack of mobility. Although you may think that having a good meal once a week would be the main reason for this club, actually it is the friendships that are forged and have endured the test of time at this regular get-together. Many older people do not and cannot get out and about so this valuable opportunity will be sorely missed by its members and could be detrimental to their health and wellbeing.

The loss of this vital opportunity for older people will be deeply felt in a short time. The volunteers, who for many years, have every week given the members the opportunity to get out of their homes, meet their friends who they only see at this club and eat a wonderful hot meal with tables dressed as though they were eating at a restaurant, will also miss being able to help.

This is another opportunity for older people being taken away.

C Rouse,

Royal Voluntary Service Volunteer, Ross