AS a church member at Bondgate Methodist Church in Darlington I am responding to the letter from Mrs Nelson (HAS, Aug 14) regarding The Bondgate Centre Cafe.

I would not wish the impression to be gained that we are in any way lacking in Christian charity as the fact that the cafe has offered support and care over 25 years does suggest otherwise.

The decision to close has been made by a committee of seven people, only two of whom are members of the Bondgate congregation and is against the wishes of the majority of that congregation.

Efforts to reverse the decision, or at least defer it to allow for more informed discussion, have fallen on deaf ears but are continuing.

Unless this committee can be persuaded otherwise sadly, the cafe which means so much to so many, will close to the public on August 24, 2018.

Derek Jackson, Darlington