WHAT has the Bolton Education Authority got against Farnworth?

First it knocked down Farnworth Grammar School, against strong public opposition, then it closed St Gregory's Secondary School. It tried hard to close St James's too.

I remember leading a well-attended march from Farnworth to Bolton Town Hall, organised by Noel Spencer (not then a councillor), protesting about the proposed closure. I recall that Farnworth hero -- the late Bill Hardman -- leading a successful campaign to keep it open, sacrificing a political career and resigning from the Labour Party.

What would the education problems have been in Farnworth now if the council had not listened to the public outcry?

Now we have the situation where 11-year-old Farnworth children have to travel into Bolton town centre, and out again, to another district school. It is either that, or walking up to an hour each way in all weathers. This, in spite of the fact that they have a local school on their doorstep.

We Farnworthians are entitled to know the following:

What is the system (if any) in allocating children to a particular school?

Why was the present problem not foreseen?

For how many more years are our children going to have to travel out of town -- 10, 20, 30 years?

I have one possible solution to the problem. The Queen Street Primary School is to close at the end of the school year. Why not use the building as part of Harper Green School? The schools are about a quarter of a mile apart. The Queen Street building is one of the best in the town, it was once a secondary school and for years a further education and night school.

I am sure Farnworth parents would prefer this to the punishment the council intends to inflict on their children. If my suggestion will not work, please tell me why.

I accept that, in these less democratic days, councillors and council officials seldom answer questions put to them by Bolton Evening News letter-writers, but I believe we Farnworthians deserve answers.

George K Brown

Barncroft Road

Farnworth