ESSENTIAL services for elderly Menston people are being moved from a popular day centre this week, and moving to a revamped village hall.

Despite years of protests from carers, councillors and members of the community, Heather Court, on St Peter's Way, is expected to close its doors tomorrow and move to the refurbished Menston Hall on Farnley Road, Menston.

The hall will open its services up to 15 people each day, starting on Monday.

Bradford Council-run Heather Court originally provided sheltered accommodation for a number of elderly people, but services have been run down in recent years.

The building is presently a day centre, providing isolated elderly people with a chance to get out and meet others, as well as providing hot baths, meals, and the services of a

hairdresser and chiropodist.

Menston people campaigned to keep Heather Court open, but city chiefs decided to close it, and move the

services to Menston Hall.

The hall was given to Bradford Council to run on behalf of the Menston community, although many villagers complained it had become run down.

But Ilkley parish councillor Audrey Brand - who was actively involved in the campaign to keep Heather Court open - says the condition of the hall has been improved. She told a packed Menston Neighbourhood Forum last Wednesday: "I've spent a lot of time looking at Menston Hall. They've got a really nice carpet down now, and new curtains in the large sitting room area, which is a big area overlooking the park."

Coun Brand was recently taken on a guided tour of the refurbished hall, and shown the new day care

facilities.

She said the centre would offer a smoking room, non-smoking sitting room, hairdressing, chiropodist service, activities room, and hot meals, although the centre would not have its own cook.

Menston Hall will employ 13 staff and a centre manager. Councillor Brand said the elderly clients would lose their hot baths, which she said could be therapeutic, but there will be the chance to have a shower.

The older part of Menston also contains eight flats designed for elderly people. Only two are currently occupied, and some say they should be fully refurbished, as they could address the shortage of housing for the elderly in Menston.

Coun Brand said: "We are driving to get more money to refurbish these rooms."

Bradford Council said that no

decision had so far been made

about the future of Heather Court or its site.