SOMETIMES the council gets criticised and often I agree.

But I went to Walton Hall the other day with some friends from out of town.

They could not believe this stately home as they called it was open for free, save for the cost of parking a car. And actually we didn’t do that as we walked along the canal from Stockton Heath.

It hadn’t really struck me before as I rather take it for granted.

But on a glorious summer day I took it all in.

Wonderful flowers, a lovely little children’s zoo and a playground the equivalent of anything I have seen elsewhere.

It really is amazing.

We are lucky to live somewhere with such a fantastic facility all for free.

JOYCE HIGGINS Culcheth