I note from the Batley News that the local Share charity has been rescued with financial support from National Mencap and has now become part of Mencap.

Batley and District Mencap wholeheartedly supports the efforts of all organisations that help people with learning disabilities.

However, I thought Batley and District Mencap might have merited some consultation regarding the formation of Mencap in Kirklees or at the very least that National Mencap might have made us aware of their intentions.

I have been made aware that someone phoned Mencap in Kirklees asking how to contact Batley Mencap and the person on the phone didn't know Batley Mencap existed. I wrote to National Mencap outlining our concerns with these developments and now a month later I am still waiting for a reply.

Can I assure all the local people and organisations who have supported us so generously in the past that, despite all the confusion caused recently, we still exist. We still remain a totally voluntary organisation and every penny we receive is spent to benefit our members who have a learning disability.

We have a social evening at Mencap Hall, Park Road, Batley, every Monday, 7pm-9pm. A swimming session is held at Batley Baths every Tuesday evening 8pm-9pm, and throughout the year various activities are organised for the benefit of our members.

Batley and District Mencap was formed well over fifty years ago by a local group of parents whose common bond was that they had children who were born with a learning disability.

The present volunteers are determined to continue to support our members with learning disabilities. We very much hope that local people and organisations will give Batley and District Mencap their continued and generous support.

JOHN DEWHIRST
Batley and District Mencap