WHEN the plans for Woodhey School, Ramsbottom, were originally presented to the education committee, they showed provision for both an assembly hall and a sports hall. However, the then Minister for Education told Bury Council that the school could have either, but not both.

The committee, which included teacher representatives, decided that the sports hall was the better option, and thus the assembly hall provision was deleted.

For some years, the council has pleaded that an assembly hall really was essential and at one stage, plans for such a hall were accepted, and money was included in the annual budget. Small though this allocation was, it would have been sufficient for a start to be made in the early months of 1987. Enough money could then be included in the 1988 budget for the hall to be completed that year.

Unhappily, this scheme was not adopted in 1987-8 and has since lain dormant, allegedly because of lack of funds (probably due to the council losing a considerable amount of money in an unfortunate banking transaction).

Now, at last, the situation has changed. Enormous sums of money are being ploughed into "Education, Education, Education".

While I am wholeheartedly in favour of extra funding for infant and junior schools, I also believe fervently in the wisdom of reinforcing success.

At Woodhey, we have a first-rate school run by a first-rate head and staff, backed by enthusiastic and caring parents. Now is the time for the education authority in Bury to put words into action.

No further procrastination. Let's have an assembly hall for Woodhey - NOW!

ALBERT LITTLE OBE,

Woodbine Cottage,

Summerseat.

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