THE controversy about Poppleton Community Centre is heartbreaking.

When it was first suggested there should be a new community centre which could provide a greater range of facilities than the existing church halls could, both villages were fully behind the scheme and the fundraising events and participation by both parish councils were fully supported.

At that time the villages were comparatively small, but there was a tremendous community spirit and everyone was willing to do their bit.

The result was a magnificent building with a fine hall and meeting rooms, a bar, and everything that could be wished for.

Harrogate Borough Council was the local authority at the time and they were a great help.

As well as financial grants, they bought the land for which they charged a nominal rent, and gave a maximum discount on the rates.

How things have changed.

The community spirit has all but disappeared, the villages have doubled in size and many people who now live here do not feel to be part of the community.

Also, we now come under the City of York Council, which as we all know is strapped for cash and needs to raise a viable rent for the land they inherited from Harrogate.

It is a sad day when the residents of two lovely villages cannot see their way to contribute towards providing a magnificent facility such as the community centre.

Keith Smith,

Brackenhills,

Upper Poppleton,

York.

Updated: 09:45 Monday, March 28, 2005