MADAM, This is a copy of letter sent to McCarthy & Stone. I was interested in your initiative, as featured in our local paper, the Ross Gazette.

I was intrigued by one thing, and that was the age criteria listed, whereby to represent those 50+, the board was to be comprised of those of 65 or over (at least in the piece I read).

Speaking as one within that window, and very much part of 'The Sandwich Generation', dealing not only with kids but also our parents whilst also planning our own not so far off needs, I simply wonder why the gap? Especially as that 15 years involves a heck of a lot, good and bad, planning and experience, that could be lost, along with valuable balance from this end of the age spectrum.

Peter Martin, Ross