They’re closing down the heart of our community

Published: 2 December, 2010

• WHEN I heard a couple of days ago about it I thought it was joke – I could not believe that Camden Council are considering closure of the Fairfield play centre. 

I started going to Fairfield in the late 1970s when I was six years old to the late 1980s. 

For me and many others it was home away from home. It taught me how to interact with different people from different races and helped give the confidence to go out there and make the best of my life. 

The playleaders were really friendly and helpful and my mum knew exactly where I was and that I was in a secure and safe place. 

Although I am a lot older now I still live in the area and it’s interesting to see people who I went to Fairfield with bringing in their children and grandchildren.

Fairfield is a fundamental part – the heart – of the community and has been around for more than 50 years and helped raise many of today’s Camden residents. 

I think Camden councillors need to think long and hard about the decision they make. 

Not only will they be making the Fairfield staff redundant, but they will also be affecting the future of Camden’s youth and that would run counter to the ethos of the provision of services to Camden. 

It would also be counterproductive in terms of allowing working parents to bring income into the borough. On top of all that some local businesses will also feel the effect as some parents would have to give up work without such a small but vital resource in the area. 

JASON QUAIL
Fairfield Flats resident
Camden Town, NW1