AT a time when people are living longer; at a time when people are encouraged to take more outdoor exercise; and at a time when we respect what the industrialists of the past did to help create our public parks, why do the council think they can put an end to this.

At one time, parks and their bowling greens were professionally maintained. Park-keepers made sure that youngsters respected what then were beautiful leisure areas. Today's council thinks it's ok to build schools on these parks, and close bowling greens that couldn't be built today. Greens are being closed when the sensible thing to do would be to train apprentices to look after them properly instead of just cutting them with a knife and fork and ruining what our predecessors took pride in.

Once lost, these facilities will never be restored and an ever increasing older generation will lose what few facilities there are to get out and meet others (Haslam park greens are always busy, even in winter ). So please, Bolton Council, look after the facilities you have inherited for the good of the whole community. I appreciate that Queens Park has had a significant amount spent on it recently, but please don't let any more bowling greens close.

Arnold Riding

Caithness Drive,

Bolton.