Sir, – I was appalled to read in the week's edition of The Herald that the Farnham Youth Project has failed in its application for the use of Montrose House and that amongst Waverley's chief concerns were "complaints from pensioners at Home Park retirements flats who were worried by the prospect of vandalism, noise disturbance and litter".
What nonsense in the context that the facility is desperately needed for the youth of Farnham; it would, I am sure be well managed with someone of the stature of the Reverend David Adams at the helm.
Farnham is a lovely town and we hold it in trust for future generations, but it cannot, it must not, be preserved in aspic. The views of older members of the community (amongst whom I count myself) such as those expressed must be listened to, but then they must be weighed against the probabilities and needs.
Change is inevitable; society's needs change, this must be recognised. So often we have the syndrome of "not in my back garden!" Recently in a discussion on a completely unrelated subject I heard the phrase used "the burghers of Farnham (whoever they are) would not like that".
If the youth of today and tomorrow are to regard Farnham as we elder members of the community regard it today, it is our duty to hand on something of benefit to them tomorrow – it will be a tough world for them to live in. We must not let the chances go by.
The East Street regeneration scheme is under review, let us make sure that provision is made there for the kind of youth facility envisaged. It is a great pity that here had to be competition for Montrose House between two such deserving causes.
D C Pratt, Menin Way, Farnham