New blue bins spark public debate

At last we can recycle all our cereal boxes and other cardboard; all we need now is provision for plastic recycling and we'll be completely sorted. I understand that plastic recycling is usually claimed to be not financially viable, which makes me think that profit-making producers should be made to pay.

When Tesco in Skipton re-submit their planning application for a revamped store maybe it could be a condition of acceptance that they have to provide a plastic recycling facility, such as exists at their Thirsk branch.

Do other readers have a view on this?

Caroline McGarvie

Dales Avenue, Embsay.

SIR - A few weeks before our blue recycling bin was delivered we received a letter asking whether we would be interested in having one or not.

This means that some people declined and apparently others in different areas were given the bin with no choice and some had neither letters nor bins and were still trying to put out blue bags of newspapers last week.

As the object of the scheme is to encourage more recycling it seems strange that we are filling our bins with old wrapping paper and cardboard now as well as papers while those who don't have the bins can't recycle papers any longer because the blue bag scheme is now non-existent.

Also we are rinsing out bottles and washing out tins(I have never washed out a used tin before in my life) while those not on the scheme are still merrily chucking them into the green bins so how can the council's targets ever be met?

Surely for a scheme like this (that cost thousands to supply the blue bins) to work, everyone has to be in to achieve the desired objective ?

Incidentally the lids do close on these bins if the instructions in the Craven Herald are followed and the lid closed hard down with the front inner bin's handle pulled back over the blue lid.

Patricia Mason

Greatwood Avenue, Skipton

SIR - I have followed the debate regarding recycling, in your newspaper, with great interest, having recently moved to Craven from Northampton, where a new scheme was set up about two years ago.

Previously each household was issued with black bags by the council and newspaper was collected separately.

It then changed to bins, each household having one black and one brown bin, one large blue box and one green one. Each week, on the same day, either the black bin with household rubbish and the blue box with tins and plastic were collected, or the brown bin for garden rubbish and the green box for paper.

This scheme worked extremely well without the necessity for another bin and encouraging recycling - simple, really!

Mrs Margaret Johnstone,

Springfields, Skipton.

SIR - I have taken delivery of the blue bin. I think it's a great idea but why on earth could the council not supply bins that fit together properly?

The outside lid does not close at all. This will only encourage vermin to get into the bin and householders not to bother using it. What a silly thing to have done.

Marks for idea 10.

Marks for implementation 0.

Barry Leeson,

Moorview Way, Skipton

SIR - I read with interest your story on burglaries at South Craven School last week and was surprised that it did not mention the measures the school has taken.

In the last two years we have increased both CCTV surveillance and security patrols.

In response to recent events we have improved security coding of laptop computers and projectors and ensured they are electronically or password protected.

We certainly remain committed to providing the best service possible to the community and this involves making the school accessible, but we are certainly not complacent in relation to ensuring property is protected.

Andrew Cummings,

Headteacher,

South Craven School.

SIR - May I congratulate through your column the young women behind Tootsies Shoe Shop on Swadford Street, Skipton.

The duo have now expanded to open a new outlet 'Tiny Tootsies' - also in Skipton opposite the Castle Public House - and are taking on staff so offering employment in the town.

'Tootsies' was originally started with the help of a business start up loan from The Prince's Trust. The support from Prince's Trust for 18-30 year olds exists to give young people a chance at self-employment and these young entrepreneurs have clearly worked hard over the past few years to establish this quality business.

Great to see an independent privately owned businesses can still compete against the charity shops and chain stores. Good Luck to them.

Sophie Pattani,

Craven Business Manager,

The Prince's Trust

SIR - It is 2 pm on Wednesday April 27 2005; I have just driven down Skipton High Street which, apart from a small section, is congested with market traders' vehicles.

It is a pleasant spring day, no rain, no wind, plenty of tourists thronging the stalls. So why are the vehicles there? Are they not supposed to be removed by 10am?

Perhaps we ought to give the new appointee some time to get to grips with the problem but we, as council tax payers, should not pay the salary of a council official who is unable to enforce the local by-laws.

I have no objection to the market trading on the setts, but please can we control its appearance; we seem to be reverting to days of old when there were no regulations and the High Street was just a hotch pot of stalls with no semblance of order.

Richard Pickering,

Cam Lane, Thornton-in-Craven

SIR - May I take this opportunity through your newspaper to compliment all involved in this year's Skipton Waterway Festival on an outstandingly professional effort.

I had been invited to judge the best dressed narrow boat this year.

My experience in command of one the largest seagoing vessels under the British flag and performing regular inspections on my supertanker in no way prepared me for the very highest standards and motivation of all those participating.

In particular, may I commend the new addition this last weekend of the illuminated narrow boat cruise into Skipton and of over twenty boats, lit by thousands of small lights, sailing in steady line astern into the town's canal basin on the Sunday night.

It was absolutely magical for the hundreds of town residents and visitors who turned out to see it.

Those who came to see the evening spectacle were treated to an experience on a balmy spring evening that I for one will never forget and the friendly atmosphere was something for which the town may be justly very proud.

I felt this is bound to become a fitting finale for future festivals that will only grow in scale and effect.

My particular thanks to Bill and Judy York for their invitation to assist in the overall judging effort this year and their hospitality on the superb narrow boat, the Two Can Two.

David Carter

Cross Bank,

Skipton.

SIR - May I through your letters page congratulate Pam Clarke (Pennine Cruisers) Chris Aldred (Skipton Town Centre Manager) and British Waterways on a most successful three day event The Waterway Festival.

The canal basin was throng with locals and visitors alike all enjoying the very best of what this area of Skipton has to offer. Sunshine and rain, it didn't matter, it was a fun day out. The event is in its fourth year and is now a must in Skipton's calendar.

Skipton Tourist Information Centre was there of course supporting this event and showing visitors to the town what Skipton can do and do it better than most. Well done everyone - I look forward to the next one.

Mrs Joan Evans

Oswaldtwistle Mills

Coach Street,

Skipton.

SIR - Regarding the damage to the Caroline Square roundabout: its designers have obviously never driven in mainland Europe.

If they had, they would have seen that at junctions with restricted side space it is usual for a roundabout to have a small central cylinder surrounded by a disc of setts raised just above road level. Cars can drive round the disc and the rear wheels of longer vehicles can run over them without the vehicle body damaging the central cylinder. Try this at Caroline Square instead of simply rebuilding what was there before.

Stephen Hogben,

Tarn Moor Crescent,

Skipton.

SIR - In March a meeting was organised by area councillors to discuss with the public the current position and possible future development of Victory Park, Barnoldswick.

The past 30 years of management by area councillors and parks and gardens senior staff has seen an appalling deterioration in standards of care at Victory Park.

The land itself was a gift from Sir Amos Nelson to be developed into a park as a permanent memorial to all the men from Barnoldswick who gave their lives in World War One. Two hundred and eighty seven names are listed on the town's memorial, along with 65 from the 1939-45 conflict.

The year 1974 saw the change-over from Barnoldswick Urban District Council to Pendle Borough Council.

Over the past 30 years many things have been lost. First to go was our permanent groundsman, then followed the removal of children's trampolines which were not repaired or replaced, just filled in and left.

The bowling greens and bowls room were next. The door was removed and walled up and from that point on the bowling green became a football area, plus a mountain bike play area. The concrete fence which surrounds the bowling green is also disappearing. The park warden service is all but gone and the tea room is rarely open.

Stocks Beck, with litter, collapsed banks, trees growing down into the water course - what a mess.

A map of Victory Park showed the conversion of the pitch and putt course to a rugby pitch and practice area. Plans previously drawn up were on show, just to give some idea what the new building may look like.

Coun Allan Buck drew attention to the parking and the passing of cars between the present parking arrangements and areas used by both the football club and cricket club.

Mention was also made of an area beyond the football club and up to the sewage works. This area is, however, the lowest point and floods at times of heavy rain. Events like Balloons over Barnoldswick have to use that road to reach the pitch and putt course to park their caravans, trailers and equipment.

To simply move car parking to another area is not necessarily in the best interests of those who use the park's sports fields on a regular basis.

One gentleman with a lifelong interest in running requested a running track to be included. Also mentioned was the need for an all weather football pitch. Spreading bits and pieces all over town, as Coun David Whipp wished to do, may not be the best way to fully develop Victory Park. It is, at the end of the day, a park devoted to sport.

No costs for this project were available at the meeting, but £600,000 will be lucky to reach the first two main objectives.

Barnoldswick, being a rural area, may have the opportunity to obtain a 90 per cent Lotto grant which would make a massive difference to what they could do.

Some of us felt what was on show at the meeting was what we are going to get. The Lib-Dems view of things are not necessarily the best way forward.

Remember, some of our town's assets were sold to fund this project. They must not be wasted.

E Spencer,

Gisburn Road, Barnoldswick.