Steve Brine has spoken of his sadness following the announcement that Elderfield, based in Otterbourne, is set to close.
Elderfield is run by the Langley House Trust which helps ex-offenders, prisoners, and those at risk of offending to live crime-free. The Trust was formed in 1958 by a group of Christians spurred by passion, commitment and a desire to see the lives of offenders changed for the better.
Last year, Steve was part of a large group, including local councillor Jan Warwick, which joined the community celebrating its sixtieth birthday, but Langley House Trust has now announced its closure.
Steve Brine MP said; “I was sad to hear this news because, while it’s fair to say Otterbourne has had its ups and downs over the years living side by side with Elderfield, it became part of the village in many ways. Many remember fondly the open garden events and I was there only last Summer with Cllr Jan Warwick and others marking sixty years of its work locally.
“Whatever the future for this site, we must recognise as a society that there is no real alternative to rehabilitation for those who makes mistakes and ultimately we will have to divert funds from punishment to repair. No-one is beyond hope or help."
Pictured; Steve Brine and Cllr Jan Warwick at Elderfield last summer
