I have followed the St Gabriel's story with great interest and am delighted it will not now be bulldozed for new flats.

I worked at St Gabriel's for 15 years, right up to its closure. From time to time, we would have people who wanted to take a look round as they had lived there when it was a children's home.

They did not always have fond memories of their time there but what was important was they were able to come back and see a part of their history. Some of the children and families who used St Gabriel's through the years when it became a family centre would also come back to visit after they had left.

At the time of the closure a large number of people who had used the building in its many capacities voiced their distress at its closure.

Children who were able to access therapeutic services from our service came and added their voice at the decision by The Children's Society.

The outcome - to have the building remain and to be listed - was wonderful news, not only because it is a building of historic importance but, as I have pointed out, it is also a part of many people's history, something The Children's Society chose to ignore in its pursuit of profit.

So thank you very much to the councillors who made the decision to keep the building intact.

The best possible end to the story would be if St Gabriel's could be used once again for community purposes.

-Pam Nicholls, Brighton