I WRITE with reference to recent news articles concerning the re-location of St Wilfrid's High School from its two sites near Blackburn town centre.

I do agree that the school needs relocating but to move it to that green stretch between Feniscliffe and Mill Hill is vandalism.

I was born in Feniscliffe and remember crossing the "cotton dump" to attend St Peter's RC School.

It was then a neglected, wild area used for council tipping and, as I recall, the disposal of war surplus.

With great insight, Lord Taylor transformed it into a recreation ground which is an asset to the neighbourhood.

Feniscliffe has survived the '70s urban sprawl of Blackburn, unlike its neighbour Feniscowles which lost its neat shopping area and the brilliant Victorian tram/bus stop.

Let us remember that we live in an area for its location and environment.

The arrival of nearly 1,000 pupils, staff and parents will be the first step towards little Feniscliffe and Cherry Tree being swallowed up.

I now live in Wilpshire and having suffered its over-development I fully appreciate the residents' fears.

Why can't the school be built on one of the empty sites in Blackburn town centre?

These rubbish-strewn 'landscaped' areas, with their barricades against the travellers, would be ideal and perhaps lead to the town's rejuvenation.

Mr John Johnston

Address supplied

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.