I had the pleasure of visiting the Middle Park Community Centre today.  I have wanted to pay a visit for ages but finally made it when invited by one of the managers.  There was a pensioners' group there when I arrived - a good turnout I thought, though I was told it would have been much larger but for a number being away on a trip.

The work this centre does, for people of all ages but especially young people, is staggering.  Yet, the bureaucracy needed to meet the strings attached to funding - and the effort required to obtain funding - ties the limited staff down for far too long.  They need to be freed to spend more time helping their visitors, many of whom need the help and expertise these people can offer.  I applaud what they do and wish we could have more centres like this.