I WRITE in response to an anonymous notice that was put through my door. It informed me that the Arc Light Centre is proposed to move to Shipton Street school and that I should immediately write and express my concerns about the effect on my quality of life/value of property etc. They also conveniently provided the Evening Press email and postal addresses.

This anonymous notice includes allegations about the people likely to use such a centre - their lifestyle and drug use as well as convictions and the implication that it will be open 24 hours per day.

I am horrified to read such a diatribe. In no way do I feel it was appropriate to send this anonymous flyer in such a cowardly manner, slandering the people who may access such services for their own personal and private reasons.

The Arc Light Centre has my full support regardless of its location and I can only hope that my fellow residents will similarly reject the rabble-rousing propaganda enclosed in this notice.

In fact my first reaction on reading of the relocation was to consider offering my services as a complementary therapist on a voluntary basis as it will be so conveniently located!

The Arc Light Centre provides valuable and much-needed service to people in times of need, and I doubt that anyone would deny the good work that it does.

If these same people wish to turn around and say "but not in my back yard" then I can only despair at their utter hypocrisy and hope they will be less harshly judged should they be found in similar circumstances.

Morag Coulter,

Newborough Street, York.

Updated: 10:36 Monday, July 25, 2005