SIR: I was quite surprised to read Mr Ron Freethy (BEN: January 20) quoting his Shropshire friends, who were reprimanding we Lancastrians for not using to the full our countryside, for example, Rivington and Anglezarke etc. We in Heaton can see Rivington and its Pike, but cannot reach it by public transport, unless, of course, you catch a bus to Chorley, and then out again to Rivington which is very time consuming and the senior citizens' concessionary bus pass is not valid within the Lancashire area of Chorley.

Many of us have the leisure time to visit Rivington Barn and its Churches and antique fairs; alas we cannot get there by public transport, hence a car is essential before attempting to explore the outer areas of the aforesaid buildings.

Shropshire has an extremely huge area of villages and, of course, the historic towns of Ironbridge and Ludlow, but their bus service to these areas is very sparse! However, the shuttle service into Shrewsbury centre from the outskirts of the town is superb, especially on its magnificent "Flower Show" days in the month of August, when thousands gather in this very beautiful town! But to our Salopian friends, I can only say "we would visit more often and walk our own countryside, along with partaking in the Churches therein and be customers of the Higher Barn Antique Fairs" - if only there was public transport for us who are in the winter of our lives, yet have enough spring to partake in the fruits of creation, that is Rivington and one of my favourite venues Shropshire!

Mrs Margaret Calderbank,

Kingsbury Court Lodge,

Heaton, Bolton.

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