With reference to the article in the Bridport News dated January 16, what a tragedy it would be for Beaminster to be left without a bus - the No 6.

Great inference is put on the expense. Surely it stands to reason that the expense would be passed on to the NHS which is already overstretched.

For the older folk, the bus is a lifeline. To be able to enjoy a ride where ever each day is an escapism, especially for people living alone - we meet with a mix of others. The bus is very sociable.

To sit by the sea at West Bay, Weymouth etc is a great joy. To visit family at Poole, to keep my independence. Without the No 6 bus, life would be oh so lonely. Looking at four walls everyday would be misery.

Beaminster has held two public meetings in the Public Hall, so well attended, easily over 100 on February 3, giving us, the public, a chance to air our views and have our say to local councillors.

Obviously, we can prove why Beaminster needs this bus service, not only for the older folk, enabling them to steer clear of the doctor surgeries. People who work in Beaminster need a bus service, students getting to college, visits to the dentist, doctors and hospitals. A reliable bus service is a necessity, enabling Beaminster to thrive along with the people - young and old - life to chug along in its own sweet way with everyone happy.

Take away this bus, the No 6, and many lives will be affected for the worse and Beaminster and the surrounding villages will be ghost towns without transport.

Do rethink this decision to take away our No 6 bus, there are a lot of us with no transport at all - life must go on. The bus is the difference between joy and misery. It would be less cheerful and definitely very unhealthy to us all.

JOAN MOVERLEY
Beaminster