MY attention has been drawn to a letter from Mr Bill Sheppard (Bolton Evening News, Tuesday, November 15), concerning the future arrangements for the management of Smithills Hall.

I feel it may be useful to make it clear that the Friends of Smithills Hall, of which Mr Sheppard is a member, is an independent charitable body, separate from the Smithills Hall and Park Trust.

Many members of the Friends, including Mr Sheppard, give up their time to act as volunteers at the Hall, and I am sure that they would wish to continue their support in the future.

We have been assured that such support will still be needed and that there is no substance in the suggestion that the volunteers are to be replaced in some way.

Mr Sheppard is of course entitled to express his personal views about the current proposals, but it will be for the Friends of Smithills Hall as a body to take a considered view once the details are fully clear.

Ron Yeo

Chairman of the Friends of Smithills Hall