Dear Editor
I was shocked to see all the negative responses in last week’s edition of the Newton News. It looked like a “lets get Dorothy Bowman” edition.
I have known Dorothy several years, a woman of strong character. I have always known her to have a genuine heart for the community, helping residents in lots of different ways.
The article in the Northern Echo was taken out of context by some people. It was not Dorothy that likened the area to ‘Shameless’, I doubt Dorothy has even watched the programme. It was another resident who made that statement.
Dorothy is aware that the majority of the people living in the area are decent hard working people, but a few are making the area look bad.
As long as I have known Dorothy she has shown a community heart to the area, I help run a dementia group twice a week with Dorothy in the Silverdale Community house, where all the group members admire her. Without this group some of these people would not have a social life.
Dorothy’s husband Raymond attends these meetings to chat to our members, he can no longer help in the way he used to, due to ill health. The group helps him socialise, however he can not participate in some of the activities our group does, but just sitting chatting to other members has done him good.
It is wrong that a lady giving such good service to the community should be treated with such disrespect. I admire Dorothy for what she does, her age and recent illness has never stopped her doing things for the people of the Williamfield area.
I know that all the nasty comments on social media and the negative press will not deter her continuing to help the community in any way she can.
Jane Johnson
