ANOTHER school year has started, and another group of youngsters - the new intake of St Wilfrid's in Blackburn - take on the chores and the dangers of daily trips in all weathers between two dilapidated buildings more than a quarter of a mile apart.

The parents of many of these children were previously themselves pupils at St Wilfrid's and were reassured in their teens that a new school would soon be built.

The hard work put in over many years by the governors and staff is well known to anyone associated with the school, and its record of scholastic achievement has always been excellent.

Yet, politicians who represent the people of Blackburn, both locally and nationally, appear to lack the drive to solve the problem of bringing together a new site and the money to build a new school.

As we approach the 'city status' bid, we should remember that it takes more than simply having a cathedral to be called a city. It takes leaders who are prepared to look to the future and push hard for the things that are needed - losers find problems, winners find solutions!

It was good to read of so many local lads having done well (LET September 8). I am sure that there are many good causes that these gentlemen have contributed to in the past, but, looking forward, there can be no finer gift to bestow on future generations of children than a good education.

If no one individual felt like contributing the whole amount as Andrew Carnegie did to such great effect in this country and the USA, then I'm sure a small consortium could find sufficient funds to replace these buildings before they fall down.

ALAN INGLIS, Stockwood Close, Beardwood, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.