WHAT a surprise to read Maureen Kennedy's letter in the Times.

I am a great old 'FAW' of hers and as usual I agree with what she said about the Town House, in Cowdenbeath.

But she brought up a problem no one else has seemed to notice-a place folk can drop-into, no one else seemed to notice. A place folk can drop-into in the evenings. I've lived in Cowdenbeath all my days, but never joined any groups or a church.

Maureen is a very astute lady, she sees the obvious. Unless you are a member of a church, organisation, group or charity etc, you can't, if like me, go anywhere.

I lost my husband at the beginning of 2019 and many Saturday nights I would give anything to know that I, as a mature woman, could walk into a 'fixed venue,' as she suggested, I think, one evening every fortnight.

This would give me and others with no relatives, and not connected to churches, groups etc, somewhere I could look forward to.

Right now (indeed all this year), I have been stuck in the house getting more depressed. The future seems hopeless.

Again Maureen your right, there is no need for any high rate prices for singers. In my young day the Bowling Club had a piano and singers came up to sing from the audience, or there was a general sing song and dance.

The organisation, ie the work involved is so minimal, why could they not. And there is no need for spirits as an excuse they will use for a licence etc.

The council and committees talk about social evenings, but not from this type of venue would really work. Please don't send letters about joining controlled groups, just a venue for 50 plus men, and especially women, who could drop-in for a drink, a wee dance or a sing gong.

What a difference that could make to 100s of people in Cowdenbeath alone who never get out.

I have a neighbour who said to me that a long time ago the Town House was used for events like a sort of Town Hall. This along with an archives/museum sort of place would encourage a growth of historic knowledge of the Cowdenbeath area.

Give people a reason to look forward to getting dressed up, but there is nowhere a person of my position would go to by themselves on a Saturday evening.

Maureen once again you have hit the nail on the head with your sarky remark, 'Wouldn't that be a nice present for lonely adults and townsfolk, after all we are not used to presents or help of any sort from the authorities in Cowdenbeath'.

It is true we the townsfolk need a 'lift' and a 'boost' and I don't mean roads uplifted or money given to groups or churches to 'treat' the people.

As Mo said, 'Bring some hope back to Cowdenbeath' or publicly give the townsfolk a 'say' in what is in the Town House.

Maureen you alone have the guts to stand up for all of us, you work to help our pets through counselling and history. You never think about making money from anything as your heart is always involved in all you do.

So Maureen, May I wish you much health and contentment in 2020. You kept me sane and our town folks keep me going, you shouldn't have this burden. A wee word of advice to you, reduce the amount of folk you help so freely and give yourself a 'Time Out', you deserve it.

AGNES,

Cowdenbeath.