I was in the Day Centre on Friday afternoon, working with the clients. We were talking about the morning's visit by Look East and the East Anglian Daily Times. The media had come to talk to the children from Aldeburgh Primary School and their Headmistress, Linda Berry. The children had all written letters to Tony Blair, Patricia Hewitt or Carol Taylor Brown expressing their feelings on the cuts to their local hospital.
When the Day Care Centre clients became aware of what was happening, they expressed strong interest in putting their own views forward. Clara Gissing was so keen that she was on her way with Kate to pick up a wheel chair to get to the demonstration. Unfortunately, she was too late.
When I realised how strongly they felt, I took notes of what people had to say, and we also took some photos.
Pauline Hale: I love the Day Centre - it is marvellous. The whole atmosphere is right; it is friendly and respectful all the time. You never know what you are going to do; we have so many activities. I'd be absolutely lost if I didn't have it. I live alone. It's outrageous to consider anything on this scale. The hospital is very necessary in this part of the country. If we were left to go to Ipswich every time, half of us just wouldn't. Is that what they want?
Clara Gissing: That's just like a second home to me. You meet lovely people. I do enjoy that.
Robert Strand:If the hospital were closed it would be a disaster. Aldeburgh Hospital is first class. The round trip to Ipswich is 50 miles; how can we manage that? A side effect of my coming here for two days a week is that for those two days my wife is not tied to my needs. We'd feel terribly deprived if it closed.
Bill Ellison: My wife was in the hospital here once. I could not have managed to visit her in Ipswich - it would have been rather awkward. (Bill is blind).
Deborah Bone, League of Friends
