I remember attending the opening ceremony for Sutton Life Centre and leaving with no clear idea as to its purpose.

During a public tour of the building we were shown a huge projection on to a wall, showing a film of a train rushing by.

We were told that it was used to illustrate a talk to schoolchildren, warning them of the dangers of trespassing on the railway.

I was astounded at the huge amount of council taxpayers’ money that had been spent on doing something that children should learn at home, or failing that, in school, or, dare I say, work out for themselves.

If memory serves, there were also rooms set aside for re-enacting home situations that might be problematic for youngsters.

Having had a happy and stable upbringing I am not qualified to comment on the usefulness or otherwise of that particular facility, but the purpose of the Life Centre appears to be somewhere for young people to hang out, with a small library attached.

In my day – I am 73 and was educated locally – we had cub and scout groups, and youth and church clubs to help us become sociable and responsible teenagers and adults.

Libraries were separate and much bigger.

Does the Life Centre represent progress?

I think not.

Final point: I believe that the centre was built on the site of a former youth club.

How ironic.

BI CAMBPELL
Sutton