• WHILE I am sure the NW5 Project will appreciate the gesture of you “clarifying” that the playground and play area on the Peckwater estate are not being used by those causing disturbances (Not in our play area, August 3), I don’t think your Editor’s note goes far enough.

Considering the size of the article published in the July 27 paper, I think your clarification should have been more prominently placed, equal in size, and should have included an apology. There is no doubt in my mind, that the article you published will have had a negative effect on the numbers of children attending the NW5 Project’s sumner playscheme.

After reading in a local paper as highly regarded as yours that the estate playground used by the NW5 Project had been “taken over by dealers” any parent would have made a mental note to keep their children away from the Peckwater estate playground. I’m not sure if you are aware, but parents talk and bad reviews of a children’s service spread like wildfire.

Like I have stated, in my previous letter, the NW5 Project is a small independent charity which is not funded by Camden Council. It was created by parents from the local area in 1973 and survives on grant applications, fees from parents, hall hire, fundraising events and donations.

All of which are highly likely to reduce due to negative press. I don’t think you at the New Journal fully appreciate the damage that has been done and I think it is your responsibility to do a better job of making amends.

ALISHA LESTRADE