MY husband and I campaigned in 1994 to keep open the Healey Grange home for elderly women in Rosehill Road, Burnley, after being told the closure by Lancashire County Council was down to the cost of kitchen and roof refurbishment and repair.
Councillors Marcus Johnstone and Wendy Croft gave their support and advice. The Charity Arch in Burnley centre was booked and both councillors were in attendance along with reporters from the Lancashire Evening Telegraph and the Burnley Express.
A petition of 5,000 signatures was collected and handed in to County Hall, Preston.
At the same time, people were demonstrating against the closure of the Andrew Smith home in Nelson, with television cameras and radio reporters present.
Three meetings were arranged. The first informed us of the closure. The second and third were arranged by my husband, but no representative from the relevant department attended, nor did LCC leader Louise Ellman, now a Labour MP, or her then assistant, County Councillor Hazel Harding.
Councillor Tony Martin attended but could not answer pertinent questions.
All this work was to no avail. The homes closed.
Burnley Council would be better seeking independence, the LCC thereby reducing the number of hidden agendas.
Our best wishes go with everyone who is fighting against the latest closure proposal.
LILIAN CLOUGH, Townfield Avenue, Burnley.
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