In a world overburdened with escalating, and often pointless, bureaucracy and declining common sense, it was sad to read about the closure of Swift Kids Club (Standard, October 3).

First, this club is well established and during its six-year existence has earned a high reputation for the excellent way in which it goes about its work.

Secondly, such a facility is not just useful these days, for many parents it is simply essential. To have something so good available at the school itself could not be a better solution for the parents sending their children to attend.

Whatever Government regulations are involved that demand space used for such activities must be rented, it seems economic nonsense to set such a rent so high that the club cannot pay it. The school now ends up with nothing (and don't schools need all the money they can get?), the parents and children end up with something less conveniently sited, and for the moment apparently have to spend time and money driving to and from Galleywood - wasting resources, adding to rush-hour traffic and to carbon emissions.

It would be nice to see common sense prevail over regulations and Swifts Kids' Club allowed to continue in their current - and most convenient - home at the Heybridge Primary School.

Surely everyone would gain from this, all except those for whom pointless bureaucracy is an end in itself.

Patrick Forsyth
Saltcote Maltings
Maldon