MADAM, As has been reported in this newspaper, on BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester and BBC TV Midlands Today - The Chestnuts residential care home (charitable trust) in Ross is being forced to close.

Many residents' families have contacted local MP Jesse Norman for support. He gave an interview to BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester and a statement to the Ross Gazette emphasising he has been assisting Trustees to re-negotiate the lease with Herefordshire Council for months (well before June 24th when it was first made public to residents and their families)

Studio discussion on BBC TV Midlands Today mentioned the irony of the fact that Jesse Norman is a champion of 'The Big Society' having written a book on the subject - yet this is happening in his own constituency.

Residents and families are very disappointed that our MP is not here with us leading a campaign to 'Save The Chestnuts' especially as it is obviously a cause close to his heart. This wonderful community project has already represented The Big Society for 20 years, yet is now being forced out of existence by what appears to be a combination of local authority and government policy.

The last paragraph of the press statement given by The Chestnuts trustees says it all; 'Finally, our recognition of the irony of this sad situation, in which a fine example of a community taking into its own hands responsibility for services for its members is being sacrificed on the altar of policy, makes us wonder what exactly the Big Society is all about.

C J Kent, Ross