STOW Disability Association members have hit back to dismiss criticism of the association's day centre.

Earlier this month (August) the management of the centre and the association's activities came in for criticism from a Moreton couple, Bob and Eileen Randell, but members said this week that they were very happy with the service it provided.

The day centre is open every Wednesday at Adlestrop Village Hall, where it has been based for four years since leaving its previous home at Chamberlayne House Day Centre in Stow.

It now has 11 members who meet to play games, take part in various craft activities and enjoy each other's company. Some would otherwise be almost housebound.

One regular attendee is Mrs Maeve Chaple, who said: "Everyone who comes here has got so much out of it. It seems to have given everyone so much. You can just come and chill out."

A relative newcomer to the day centre is Mrs Beryl Hodgkins, who joined about 15 months ago, after being introduced to the centre by her friend and fellow Blockley resident Sheila Green.

Mrs Hodgkins said she had met so many people since she joined and it had been a real boon to allow her to meet people and do things she would never have been able to do without the centre's help.

She added: "We go on outings and day trips which we wouldn't be able to do normally. It is a nice day out every Wednesday and you meet lots of other people in the same boat as you."

Another person to have benefited from the centre and the regular craft courses run by Gloscat tutors is Moreton's Edwin Shadbolt who, despite his poor eyesight, has discovered a talent as a sculptor which won him a countywide adult learner of the year award.

The disabilities of people who use the centre are many and varied, including diabetes, severe arthritis, problems caused by a brain haemorrhage, and elephantiasis.

Association chairman Fran Rowland said the members held regular outings in a specially-adapted minibus, bought with a £46,000 National Lottery grant three years ago, and had been on holiday to Spain together.

She also praised Adlestrop residents for their support, saying some villagers were regular visitors.

Membership is drawn from roughly an eight-mile radius of Stow and Mrs Rowland said: "We still have three vacancies and if anyone who has a disability wants to join us, they would be most welcome."

Just turn up to the Wednesday meetings which run from 9.30am-4.30pm.