HAVING recently retired I was delighted to join with other WI ladies and utilise the excellent bowling green and equipment in Sanders Park, Bromsgrove.

I have paid £30 for the season and felt it was excellent value, understanding that I could play and loan equipment anytime a rink was available.

I have since been annoyed and disappointed to find that the kiosk is not staffed in the evenings and on two occasions last week there was no member of staff available throughout the morning. Sally and Diane - who are usually there - were on holiday or leave. They have both always been very helpful and do an excellent job but are surely entitled to days off with guaranteed cover!

It is the height of a wonderful summer - why is the kiosk not staffed? Why has first-class equipment been purchased to gather dust?

I hope someone will take note and take action to improve the situation.

Carol Hine, Fairfield

A spokesman for Bromsgrove District Council said this week - 'Thank you for your letter Carol and your compliments regarding the park.

Unfortunately there were recently two occasions during weekdays whereby we were unable to facilitate full staff cover - we apologise for any inconvenience caused. We have now introduced a temporary staff member to supplement staff cover arrangements at the park and are in the process of inducting a further new member of staff who will commence very shortly once the standard Criminal Records Bureau checks have been completed; this will provide the staff and service with the additional flexibility of cover we need. The park information office/service operates March to September seven days a week and therefore available during the peak periods of use of the park; therefore the service does not operate during evenings as the interest from casual users of the bowling and tennis courts does not currently warrant it. However, we do allow special arrangements for people wishing to use the facilities in the evening by allowing pre-bookings to be made by first contacting the park information office on 01527 832148, thereby allowing the public access to the bowling green and courts outside the periods that the park information office is staffed. We shall continue to regularly review our staffing and operational hours to ensure we are meeting the requirements of park users and will consider other alternatives arrangements to enable full access to facilities.

Rob Heard

Parks & community services manager

Bromsgrove District Council