LAST week, I had cause to visit the Worcester Technical College Barbourne Annexe which used to be the old Bishop Perowne School before it was relocated to Merrimans Hill.

I was looking forward to the visit having been a pupil at the old Bishop Perowne from 1969 until 1974 and not visited since.

I have fond memories of the school. It provided me with an excellent education and I also remember that the buildings and gardens were immaculately kept by a caretaker and one assistant.

What a shock. The sight that greeted me was one of decaying unkept, dirty building with peeling paintwork, and weeds the size of miniature trees sprouting from drains, pathways and recreational areas.

Quadrangle

It was particularly bad in the quadrangle, which in the early 1970s, was a showpiece of well- manicured lawns and flowerbeds.

Now the grass looks as it if has been cut with a scythe and where it joins the pathways, it stands up to six inches high. Drink cans and rubbish litter the area.

When I left I felt as if I had visited a school in a Third World country, so bad was the evidence of neglect and dare I say, apathy. It was depressing, to say the least.

I could be accused of viewing with rose coloured spectacles. I think not.

I'm not so nave as to imagine that things would be as they were 30 years ago, just very sad that such a beautiful building has been allowed to get into this state.

If this is a showpiece for higher education in Worcester circa 2004 the local education department should hand their heads in shame.

DEBORAH KYTE,

Worcester.