SIR – I feel I must respond to Dean Russell s letter headed Harpenden Bias (Herts Advertiser, December 3). He is correct, the St Albans City and District Council have in the past been biased, especially regarding the elderly. In their Community Strategy

SIR - I feel I must respond to Dean Russell's letter headed "Harpenden Bias" (Herts Advertiser, December 3).

He is correct, the St Albans City and District Council have in the past been biased, especially regarding the elderly.

In their Community Strategy - 'Shaping Our District Together for 2021' - senior citizens were totally ignored, we were just a statistic.

Their revised issue in 2009 has seen a marked improvement in their fast-track education and we now exist and have been identified.

Who knows, they may talk to us directly and we could be part of their future plans. To educate the district councillors a little, we have dropped the 'Blue Rinse' image and now regard ourselves as the Silver Surfers, Silver Spenders and the Silver Voters and they ignore us at their peril.

The Harpenden Seniors Forum, launched in September, was created because of this lack of recognition.

This new voluntary organisation will be fully operational in the New Year and will provide a single point where the town's senior citizens can get all the information and guidance they need on available services, government and council initiatives, entertainment options and technical and personal support.

Access by telephone helpline and dedicated website. There is also a Forum office within the Harpenden Seniors Club building off Leyton Road.

Membership to the Forum is free and every senior in Harpenden is welcome to join - especially you Dean, why not join us and become part of the Voice of Harpenden Seniors?

I must add that both the county council and the Harpenden Town Council fully support the development of the Harpenden Seniors Forum and its aims for the future.

ALAN D COX

Chairman

Harpenden Seniors Forum