Letters to the Editor

radio mast at Menston

SIR, - It has come to our notice that planning permission has been submitted to Bradford Council for the construction of a 15-metre telephone mast with three antennas, transmission dish, radio equipment and ancillary equipment at Menston Club, Farnley Road, Menston.

The purpose of this letter is to register my family's objection to this proposal. Our principle concerns are based on the following:-

1) Farnley Road dates back to the 19th century with the majority of houses being built in the Victorian era around 1890. The houses are mainly terraced, built in Yorkshire stone with traditional Victorian sash windows, stone mullions and slate roofs.

Building a 15m telephone mast amongst such property would be detrimental to the Yorkshire feel of the road.

Does such a mast naturally fit in with the character of the area ?

2) The upkeep of the grounds of Menston Club is already criticised by local residents and visually distressing as a barren waste ground that is not used nor looked after. Adding a 15m telephone mast and all its associated equipment would further make this waste area even more of an eyesore.

Does the club feel they have any social responsibility for the upkeep of their grounds ?

3) The decision by Menston Club would seem to be purely financially driven rather than any commitment to the local community. No approach has been made to any local residents to discuss their plans.

Do any of the Directors of Menston Club live in Farnley Road, Wharfe Mews or the Coultas Close area ?

4) The 15m mast would be in direct line of uninterrupted rural views from our family house across to Otley Chevin in the east and ruining the views forever.

Do you prefer a view of a 15m communications mast or traditional Yorkshire stone houses ?

5) In the immediate area where there are many young families, there remains great concern with the unknown health risk to children.

Would you build a mast in your grandchildren's back yard ?

Whilst we appreciate the need for communications progress I would hope the following other options have been considered first:-

a) Shared masts with other telephone companies in the area.

b) Other locations in the Menston area including inside church towers - the Mormon Church on the junction of Bradford Road and Burley Road is still under construction but within full view of the whole village, Methodist Church on Main Street, St. John's Church on Burley Lane, ambulance station at Buckle Lane, High Royds grounds, American Golf Centre on Bradford Road, Menston train station car park on Station Road, on the existing water pumping tower on Moor Lane - the Chevin.

c) Not go ahead at all

Dave, Karen, Amy and Ellie Brown

30 Farnley Road,

Menston.

Memories

SIR, - I read with interest about Phyllis Rose and her shop in last week's Gazette.

As a young child in the war years, I was brought up in Addingham and was a constant visitor to Mrs Roe's Shop, as it was then. It was a truly fascinating place with boxes up to the ceiling, containing all kinds of fascinating things, a veritable Aladdin's cave.

All the other shops didn't seem to have anything, but Phyllis always had something you needed, and always knew, like a librarian finding a book, where among all the boxes to find it. On special occasions like gala days, when a fancy dress was required, they would always know that she could manage to find something at the shop.

Old Mrs Roe sometimes served in the shop, a lovely old lady with swept back snow-white hair, but was usually to be found working and cleaning in the back, whilst Phyllis ran the shop. Phyllis was a true friend to all and would always have a kind word for everyone.

I am so glad that the business will carry on and I'm sure Phyllis will be so happy to know it is in good hands.

Patricia Hirst

11 Nelson Road,

Ilkley.

Waiting lists

SIR, - Regarding the report in the Ilkley Gazette of April 21, about Airedale Hospital, it would appear that Airedale Trust's director of planning, Doug Farrow, doesn't seem able to interpret his own figures.

What about the numbers regarding patients waiting 12 months-plus for admission to Airedale Hospital?

Are they not to be included in the agreed targets - just left to die?

M G STORK

14 Victoria Grove,

Ilkley.

Quick service

SIR, - How was this for service? On the evening of Sunday, May 1, I rang Yorkshire Water to complain about the taste of chlorine in the water. The person I spoke to asked ifwe would be at home the following day - May Day, Monday.

I said I couldn't guarantee this, as depending on the weather, we were hoping to go out. About 30 minutes later, the phone rang and I was told that an inspector was on his way out to us and would be here in a few minutes.

Sure enough, about ten minutes later the inspector arrived armed with six large bottles of spring water, to have a look at the problem. Surely no-one could expect, or have given, better service than this,

Margaret Clark

18 Sunset Drive,

Ben Rhydding.

Missing out

SIR, - Like two thirds of their age group in England, 30,600 16 to 18-year-olds study at their local col-lege in West Yorkshire.

Despite the wonderful service they receive, the Government funds these young people at least ten per cent less than schools - an average shortfall of more than £350 per student per year. Young college students in West York-shire are therefore missing out on at least £10.7million per year.

In addition, the Government's current funding plans for adult learning across England mean that colleges may be required to impose fee rises of 40 per cent over the next three years, or in-troduce course cuts across a range of provision, where such courses do not match Government 'priorities'. Older adults will be particularly affected, as will all those adults tak-ing a course not counting towards a Government target.

The Association of Colleges would like, through your newspaper, to ask the politicians to make their views clear on closing the 16-18 funding gap and protecting adult learning in your area.

I am sure your readership would be interested to have their views clarified. Young people, staff and parents can express their views and sign our petition at aoc.co.uk

Dr John Brennan

Chief Executive,

Association of Colleges.

A point

DEAR CURMUDGEON, - With regard to your column in the Gazette on May 5, I am sorry to hear that you have become a fellow sufferer of the traffic (mis)management scheme affecting the Ilkley section of the A65.

I am afraid this leads to the following geography lesson so, Curmudgeon, are you sitting comfortably?

If you were stuck in taffic to the 'south' of Ilkley, I cannot picture on which part of the road you found yourself.

Perhaps you own one of the large off-roaders you so often decry and somehow ventured into the middle of Rombalds Moor; or could you have entered a time warp in which one of the many abortive plans floated over the last 80 years for an Ilkley bypass had mysteriously come to fruition?

I enjoyed the rest of your article and the reference to Thomas Fairfax whose story I know well, too, as I was born and reared in Denton:

"Thou rural village, little know

Thou once bred warriors who could shake a throne."

Carry on with the good work in the stand against political correctness. Yours pendantically,

CHRIS HUME

The Rookery,

Halton East,

Skipton.