DEAR EDITOR -- In the late 1940's I visited my mother who had been referred by a Sunderland medical practice for in-patient treatment at the Highfield Hospital, with an associated brine baths in Droitwich Spa.

Given our family associations with railways, shipping and council social chairmanship in the north-east, it was a lovely surprise to find a complete situation which was based on the health treatment associated with arthritic needs and in this respect there was of course the Worcestershire Hotel and many guest houses, visitors usually arriving at a beautiful Victorian railway station and into a Spa town which had many fine old buildings and parks.

Indeed recently I heard an item on BBC Radio which identified the manner in which Bath was rejuvenating itself with National Lottery money as a spa town and in this respect the item made the comment that they couldn't understand why it was that Droitwich Spa had allowed itself to be downgraded nationally.

So why did the councillors "dispose of" these fine assets and depend upon the Worcester hospital with poor transport for the aged, and parking generally?

I believe many of our present councillors are showing a different face but acting in "cabinets" could answer this question.

In respect of the obvious deterioration which has taken place in public social services in Droitwich I have heard the many biting remarks which have been made known through your columns by the Independents of this town in the manner that asset-stripping has in effect taken place, and is still part of the under-cover "cabinet" intentions which are within the economic necessities of the political parties.

For my part as a blind person - resulting from Merchant Navy Second World War injuries, affected by the maladministration of a Burrish Street closure and the so-called planning of destructive parking next to our house, one must consider councils' duty of care in the life of Droitwich in order that the disabled, including the people, can live decent lives in health and safety.

Surely the obvious answer to the Burrish Street saga would have been to make it one way down and Albert Street one-way up, thus opening up both.

Seemingly in the gross irresponsibility which is obviously now present the vast increases in our council tax should be questioned and audited, and maybe even include a more public identification of the "salaries" which councillors now appear to seek and enjoy.

Why didn't the Independents use some larger hall with disabled access and public room for their recent confined meeting?

Finally, was former Councillor David Lock with Lord Chancellor's connections and prudence, responsible for initiating closure of the town's magistrates' court and police station? Surely both are sadly needed.

K H Harrison

Burrish Street

Droitwich Spa