I am appalled at the prospect of the closure of Knowles Tooth in Hurstpierpoint (The Argus, October 2 and 7).

It is a truly wonderful place for the children and families who attend it, many of whom have suffered – and continue to suffer – severe traumas as refugees and as victims of poverty and deprivation.

For these children, the possibility of free play in nature is part of what real freedom means. It is a complete delight.

I can think of no higher objective in the Church than that of ministering to the weak, the poor and the homeless. This facility does that to the highest degree.

I wish to point out, too, the extra-special character of Knowles Tooth’s play meadow – its central outdoor play facility. It has an intact archaic vegetation community and in summer it is alive with meadow butterflies – browns and skippers – and bush crickets and grasshoppers.

At the centre of the play meadow is a huge veteran English Oak pollard, perhaps 300 to 400 years old, with an elaborate tree house nestling in its poll.

The surrounding countryside is badly stripped of such features.

It is rare for any children, let alone those children who attend this centre, to experience such special places. This play meadow is of equal value to the Church’s heritage as ancient places of worship.

Dave Bangs, Ewhurst Road, Brighton