DOROTHY Tenty is, of course, strictly correct (Letters, July 15) when she says that Age Concern Swindon started life as the Old People's Welfare Committee.

This year we are pleased and happy to be celebrating 50 years since Swindon Corporation first established a committee in 1952 to meet some of the needs of older people. Set up, like at least 400 others in England during the 1950s, the organisation became an independent charity at local government reorganisation in 1974.

As Age Concern Swindon, we are the successors of years of devoted work by many people in the town, including Dorothy Tenty herself. We recognise the contribution made by all of them in the last 50 years and we are pleased to be celebrating a golden anniversary using the name adopted some 30 years ago, Age Concern.

Along with over 400 independent registered charities in a unique federation called Age Concern, we are now part of the largest voluntary movement working to benefit all older people in the UK and, with the support of people in Swindon and the council, among others, we are setting out on our next 50 years.

As well as providing practical and helpful services and support to at least 500 older people every week, we are a campaigning organisation too and we need the support of Adver readers to make our campaigns a reality.

To find out more, to make a donation to our golden anniversary appeal or to join us as a volunteer, you can call us on 692166, write to 14 Milton Road SN1 5JE or e-mail jo.osorio@ageconcern. org.uk

JO OSORIO

director, Age Concern Swindon

14 Milton Road

Swindon