College closes computer class

FED up students on computer courses in Clevedon now face having to trek to Nailsea to keep up their classes.Bosses at Weston College, which run the courses, have closed its Old Street base saying it is not suitable to use as a training centre and has suggested those wanting to continue to study now need to train from its premises in Nailsea.But the news has angered students, many of whom say they will now have to give up their courses as they have no means of getting to Nailsea.Pensioner Jean Hannaford, of Chipping Cross, was forced to finish her course in Nailsea.Mrs Hannaford, aged 60, said: "We were given only a couple of weeks notice that these courses were to stop in Clevedon."It is such a shame as a lot of people used the courses from students to old age pensioners."I managed to get to Nailsea to finish my course, but I know an awful lot of people who cannot get there to carry on with their training."The courses are run at certain times and it is difficult to fit them around a bus timetable."I wanted to do a more advanced course, but will now have to think twice because of having to travel to Nailsea."Mrs Hannaford, along with other students, are now asking town councillors to press college bosses to find an alternative site in the town.Mrs Hannaford added: "I am sure there are other premises in Clevedon where they could run courses from."Clevedon Town Council chairman Bob Garner said he was 'very disappointed' the classes had shut down.Councillor Garner, who has been on the computer course along with his wife, said: "A town the size of Clevedon should have access to the college."I would have thought there were plenty of alternative sites in Clevedon where an IT centre such as this could operate."Councillors have now agreed to write to Weston College asking for it to find alternative premises for the computer courses in Clevedon.No-one from Weston College was available for comment.