RE the Times article of £400,000 that must be used on the Town House of October 21, I have been fighting for seven or eight years for Our Town House.

Fife Council and individuals and councillors all assured me the Town House would not be sold. The ultimatum of £400,000 and short time limit, it is a no brainer.

This building, Our Town House, should be used for the people of Cowdenbeath and surrounding area. The people, not a boy's club for business meetings.

There is so much scope, firstly, which I have said for years, is a museum of some type, even if only archives. But some legacy to show what Cowdenbeath was.

Secondly, the people of the area need a social venue. Perhaps a wee dance every fortnight, musical evenings etc. There are so many 'lovely' people, who don't have family or friends, there is nowhere to go. But if there was a permanent venue it could encourage folks to get out. But more so be able to go out and ease the depression and sometimes despair of many.

There is nowhere an adult of any age or sex can go for of a social evening and drop-in. Is it not about time people who are lonely can just pop in after all the Town House venue could charge an entrance fee so it can make it pay, not much organising needed is there?

There is truly a desperate need for somewhere to look forward to going. If a person was alone clubs are not good. A shy lonely person won't walk into a club. But a venue for individuals they would and could.

I am judging this by remarks when 'counselling', especially after being bereaved, people who live alone. Churches, the Maxwell Centre and group meetings are of no use to someone dying to get out, but as they are single or elderly and alone cannot as they know no one.

By the numbers I counsel I can tell you, this type of entertainment, regular dances, singing a wee drink, surely to god, with say £3 for an entrance fee (a suggestion) to open a large room twice monthly they could not say it would not pay, of course no heavy fees for hired singers.

This actually could make the council some money, but also be welcomed by many lonely, depressed folk who have nowhere to go or a place to rely on.

Do as they did years ago, a piano or someone is wanting to sing well OK.

Wouldn't that be a nice present for lonely adults and townsfolk of the Cowdenbeath area not used to presents of any sort.

Back to the £400,000, surely this will not be spent on re-doing the Town House just for council and business. To have the building for council/business status only that is surely greedy.

It is the Town House of and for people and not to include local folks would show how uncaring they are, those one's who make final decisions.

Just a wee venue, an archives/museum would be enough to satisfy local folk. Nobody gets a say in anything in Cowdenbeath. We get what we don't want, with roads up all the time.

It can never be left simple. We the townsfolk themselves need a 'lift', an effort to show the council and those in authority doing right by the people.

All we get are false, delaying promises and policies so I have said my piece, to date, with knowledge of those I am in contact with.

Council and authorities, it is up to you, are you going to consider the needs of the townsfolk or do the local people not count?

Bring some hope back to Cowdenbeath, you can if you want to. Or you can use the Town House of council/business status only and once again neglect the wishes of so many.

MAUREEN KENNEDY,

Identicat Scotland UK,

Thistle Street,

Cowdenbeath.