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"Red Bear Childrens Centre, which is based within St Marys Lower School, Stotfold, called the meeting on Tuesday after reading comments made by Ms Dorries in last weeks Comet. The Mid Bedfordshire MP has backed a Central Bedfordshire Council consultation which could see up to 17 centres in the district close. Among her comments was one which claimed that some centres are just rooms with leaflets for mums to take away. But parents at the meeting said that they were hurt and upset by the comments, with all agreeing that the centre had provided them with a lifeline. They called on Ms Dorries  whose constituency does not cover Stotfold  to visit the centre to see just how important the work there is. I found it quite offensive and quite ignorant, said parent Antonia Keane. Its rude not to bother to see whats behind it. Its just a slap in the face. Another parent, Carl Powell, added: The centres are so much more than Ms Dorries could possibly understand. I would suggest that she actually attends any one of the sessions so she can experience the magic of what is offered. One of CBCs options is to close all but five centres in Central Beds, another is to close eight centres  including Red Bear  with the final option to keep all 22. But calls of if its not broken, dont fix it, were aired at the meeting. There were also comments regarding the fact that a large percentage of councillors making the decision arent local. Ms Keane added: Those making a decision are from areas  Dunstable and Houghton Regis  that will get the services, not lose them. Theyre making decisions for areas that arent theirs. Iris Hughes, who has been going to the centre for 13 months with her 16-month-old child, said: This should be based on needs, on childrens requirements in the community.  The council has come up with these three options from nowhere. They havent gone out there, spoken to people and asked what they use the services for. Its not a consultation if we dont have that choice. The centre, as well as a centre for children, provides support to parents on a variety of issues including breast feeding, weaning, and getting back into work. It has also, in the past six months, encouraged three women to leave violent relationships. One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said: I dont know what I would do without the centre. They have been a lifeline. I think that if it wasnt for Red Bear, I wouldnt be alive. It has done more for me than 10 years of mental health. Another parent, Bec Whiteside, added: I always look forward to coming to the centre. If Ive had a bad day, its just nice to come and talk to people and get a hug. Speaking to The Comet, Ms Dorries said that her comments were taken out of context. She added: I never commented on the Stotfold centre and wouldnt do because its not in my constituency. Id love to visit, but cant because its not in my constituency. I hope the parents at the Stotfold centre havent taken offence.  In these difficult times, we need to protect these kinds of services. I wouldnt like to see them closed. Ive asked for them to be protected because of the valuable work that they do, particularly working with vulnerable families. The consultation ends on October 26. To enter, visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/consultations"
<https://www.thecomet.net/news/education/mp-s-comments-on-children-s-centres-ignorant-1-1103281>