Geoffrey Cox, MP for Torridge and West Devon, visited Holsworthy last Wednesday, meeting older people, and spent three hours listening to issues they raised and finding out about the facilities and social activities available to them in the town.

He began in the Memorial Hall where the Luncheon Club was holding a fundraising coffee morning. He chatted with Alma Bishop and her staff who run the club, visited the stalls and sat at several tables to hear what people had to say.

He then called in the computer suite where courses are run by Geoff Matthews, who took the opportunity to explain that he received no financial support since he fell outside the Government's remit for funding.

Next he visited the Day Centre in the Manor Suite where he met Chris Rose, the treasurer of the Good Neighbours' Club. He chatted with the clients and had lunch with Crispin King, the deputy manager of the Day Centre and his volunteer staff.

Mr Cox was impressed by the care and service they provide and the opportunity clients have to go on trips and an annual holiday, but was concerned to hear how routinely at this time of year they are kept in limbo until well past the start of the financial year, not knowing whether the Day Centre can continue to exist, while a decision from Social Services about the renewal of their contract is anxiously awaited.