traumatic experience of going to court does not have to be a lawyer.

The Women's Resource Centre is aiming to lessen the ordeal by providing legal advice and counselling for women who have suffered domestic violence or sexual assaults.

The Centre has recognised the trauma associated with court cases and is now considering hiring its own advocate, hopefully in the new year.

Chairperson Ms Shanda Simmons pointed out that the process can last months, even a year, before it actually comes to court.

And, while women are helped initially, there is little advice later on when the court appearance looms.

But Ms Simmons stressed: "We do not necessarily need a lawyer. We do not want to put anyone off.

"We do not want it restricted to lawyers. We do need someone who has some knowledge of the legal system, but we also need someone who is able to do some counselling with the victim.

"In some ways the counselling role is more important than the court part of it. A lawyer may not have those skills.'' PLP DISCUSSES LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME PTL The Opposition Progressive Labour Party discussed its "legislative programme'' at a caucus meeting Wednesday night.

PLP Leader Mr. Frederick Wade said his party had legislation it wanted to introduce in the House of Assembly. But he would not divulge any specifics.

"You'll have to wait for that,'' he said. "It's like our own Throne Speech.'' The House reconvenes on November 5.

Mr. Wade said he was not sure how much the PLP would attempt in the short time before the House adjourns for the Christmas break.

"Hardly ever'' did Government accept what the PLP proposed, Mr. Wade said.

"If they support it, they tend to amend it. If it's a motion they must accept, they'll amend the motion to make it their own.'' Also up for discussion at Wednesday's meeting was the party's response to Government's selection of Dr. David Dyer as Speaker of the House and Mr.

John Barritt as Government Whip.

The PLP's position on the Speaker would not be known until the House meets, he said.

CRASH VICTIM LOSES CONTROL OF CYCLE AC A 22-year-old crash victim was found by Police lying on the roadside in St.

George's yesterday.

The St. George's man was treated at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for facial cuts and a fractured nose.

Police said the man had apparently lost control of his cycle as he was travelling west along Wellington Road.

He is believed to have crashed into a stone pillar of a private driveway, said Police spokeswoman Sgt. Roseanda Jones.

Police found the man at about 12.30 a.m., Sgt. Jones added.

"The cycle was extensively damaged. The cause of the accident is under investigation.'' GUEST HOUSE OWNER HOLLY KELLY DIES OBT The owner of a guest house who hosted many Bermudians has died in England, it was learned this week.

Miss Holly Kelly, who ran Holly House on Longfleet Road in Poole in Dorset, died on Friday and will be buried today.

Her guest house was near Poole General Hospital and many Bermudians stayed there while receiving treatment.

She is survived by a sister, Mrs. Nora Hedditch.