Letters to the Editor

bracken from taking over?

SIR, - Well, spring is well under way. I've heard my first cuckoo, seen the swallows and the bluebells have raised their heads but unfortunately so has the bracken.

As I walk my dog I have seen these green sprouts emerging and, like many other people I meet along the way, stamp on as many as possible in the vain hope that I can make some impact on this invasive weed.

The ' grassy bank' near Hebers Ghyll was just that, 'grassy', four or five years ago and a place for the deer to graze. The bracken has encroached further and further over the years until almost covering the whole area.

It appears the council ignores this invasion so on my daily walk I take time out to trample away, clearing straw like masses, to uncover areas to encourage grass to grow and now to stamp on any bracken emerging.

Now is the time to act as the bracken can be crushed as it emerges and prevent it from seeding.

However, I feel I am fighting a losing battle on my own. Can I appeal to any like-minded bracken haters to take time out to spend ten minutes or so of their walk to do the same? I'm even prepared to organise a bracken bashing party if that would help to stem the encroachment of the bracken.

Who knows, this year the grassy bank, next year the moor!

Chris Poad

15 Queens Drive,

Ilkley.

Extra course

SIR, - Through your newspaper we would like to thank all those people whose hard work and generosity helped to provide extra funds for charity last Saturday evening.

As a mark of celebration and to raise additional funds for Otley men John Cooney and Martin Lewis (both in their fifties), who completed the London Marathon recently, friends decided to get together for a four-course evening meal at the Oasis Caf, in Ilkley.

Thirty-three guests were invited and asked to donate towards the meal, prepared and served by members of the group. The money raised was to be shared between John and Martin's chosen charities, the Anthony Nolan Trust and St Gemma's Hospice.

Unfortunately, the cost of providing the meal was seriously going to affect how much money would go to the charities. We decided to write to local supermarkets to ask for their help. Offers of help came from Asda at Holt Park, Booths and Tesco in Ilkley and Morrisons at Guiseley.

However, we would really like to say a special thank-you to manager Mike Cooper, of Waitrose in Otley, who could not have been more generous and helpful. He donated food and sparkling wine to offset any cost to us and personally escorted me round the shop to choose the products we needed to prepare the meal. He even threw in a bottle of Champagne for John and Martin!

The evening was a great social success but more importantly we raised £425, which will be shared equally between the two charities and boost the funds already raised by the two local runners.

MARGARET POOLE

39, Throstle Nest Close,

Otley.

Lions' share

SIR, - In his review of happenings on the May Day Bank holiday in the carnival supplement of last week's Gazette ('Event is enjoying a good innings'), your reporter, Paul Weir, drew attention to the origins of this excellent event which, once again, has delighted the crowds.

He commented on the fact that before the inaugural one in 1988, the main event taking place on the day was a restaging of the cricket match between professionals and the traders of Ilkley held more than a century earlier.

He could have included in his review the activities of the local Lions Club (then known as the Wharfedale Lions and now the Ilkley Moor Lions Club).

For several years, beginning in 1973, we presented a Wharfedale Fayre, which resulted in an extensive programme of events on that day very similar indeed to the one provided now by the carnival committee.

After organising several of these fairs it became difficult for the club to continue them. However, wishing to mark the day with some notable activity, we then brought in the annual Duck Race.

Monday saw the 22nd as 2,000 numbered plastic ducks were tipped over the New Bridge and floated a few hundred yards downstream to a net stretched across the river. This brought pleasure to all the many watchers, particularly, one imagines, to those five who invested £1 per duck and whose racers appeared first at the finishing line!

The proceeds help to fund our charitable activities locall, nationally and internationally.

The Ilkley Moor Lions Club hopes to be running its Silver Jubilee race in early May, 2008.

TONY ACKROYD

President,

The Ilkley Moor Lions Club

Pets appeal

SIR, - No-Kill animal sanctuary, Farplace Animal Rescue, is appealing for good homes after a mother cat and her kittens were found abandoned on their doorstep. The long-haired black mother cat (now named Penny by sanctuary staff) and her young family were starving, dirty and flea-ridden on arrival. They were all terrified of being handled, hissing and trembling with fear if they were approached, but are gradually learning to trust again.

Penny is now spayed, vaccinated, very friendly and in good health. She will make an ideal friend for someone with a quiet home.

Her kittens - now approximately five months' old, are vaccinated and although still nervous of hands, they are now needing new homes like their mother.

If you might be able to provide a home call me at the sanctuary on (01388) 517397. You can also help us care for more abandoned animals, like Penny and her family, by sending a donation to us at Farplace Animal Rescue, at the address below.

JAN EDWARDS

Head of Animal Rescue.

Sidehead,

Westgate,

Co Durham,

DL13 1LE.

So generous

SIR, - On behalf of Marie Curie Cancer Care I would like to express my thanks to the people of Ilkley in their generous support of our Great Daffodil Appeal held throughout March.

Ilkley's street collection raised £823.02 and a two-day collection at Booths Supermarket raised the fantastic sum of £832.51. A further supermarket collection at Kwik Save raised £183.29. A collection in Burley-in-Wharfedale swelled the campaign coffers by a further £314.89.

The collections could not have been successful without the many volunteers who stood giving away the lapel daffodils in return for a donation.

The money raised will help us maintain our special services for cancer patients and their families which are provided free of charge. The people of Ilkley benefit from the services provided at our Bradford Hospice by our Marie Curie Nurses in the community and specialist Home Care Sister based at the Ilkley Health Centre.

BRENDA DOYLE

Community Fund-raising

Manager,

Marie Curie Hospice.

So clean ....

SIR, - Driving down Middletown Avenue and up New Brook Street at 9pm last night I marvelled at the pristine state of the roads and pavements after the hugely popular Carnival Day. It was incredible.

This morning I discovered this was the work of the hard working Ilkley in Bloom committee. We should take our hats off to them.

So many other voluntary groups contribute to carnival including the carnival committee itself. Ilkley can be proud of all those who do voluntary work in town in every capacity; their contribution is tremendous.

B J CUSSONS

4, Curly Hill,

Ilkley.

.... So dirty

SIR, - Once again 'dog fouling' is back - so much for all of the warnings. Valley Drive and Colbert Avenue are disgusting.

I would like these owners to know that, if it is seen to happen, it will be reported to the dog warden and there is a big fine and exposure.

MARIE J WALKER

10, Colbert Avenue,

Ilkley.