My son was victim of bus station thugs

On October 1, two days after Coun Hill's comments, my son and his lady friend were attacked by a group of yobs whilst waiting for a taxi home.

This group wasn't "just making a bit of noise as they met their friends" but were on the roam looking for trouble.

The group had been aptly described by Coun Hill - numbering approximately 12-14 with an age range of 12-18 years. Whilst walking past my son, and totally unprovoked, one of these super heroes smacked him on the side of the jaw from behind, causing him actual bodily harm.

When officers did arrive on the scene, after the event of course, as is usually the case, unless they are in possession of a speed gun they proceeded to arrest the 33-year-old West Craven man (mentioned in despatches in the Craven Herald on October 8) who was actually trying to assist my son, but became too vociferous with the officers - another "easy collar" I would suggest, whilst the real culprits get clean away.

My son was told by officers that "we know who they are" but nothing can be done unless this individual yob could be identified.

So come on Chief Inspector, if it's mob rule let's have some mob arrests and straighten these pratts out before things really get out of hand.

But alas no doubt this would infringe on someone's human rights, but there again so does a mouthful of steelwork and living off a liquid diet for weeks on end.

No, Chief Inspector, I align myself firmly behind Councillor Hill on this one.

It would also be helpful if we could have CCTV that does what it says on the tin, rather than something which I am led to believe is no real help when it comes to identification. I may still be proved wrong on this point, but don't hold out much hope.

Maybe things would then start to improve for law abiding folk rather being tipped in favour of lowlife.

Mr B Walton,

Earby

SIR- While at Skipton railway station recently I was delighted to have the opportunity to look at a display of posters about railway safety which I presume were created by Skipton school children.

This artwork was entertaining and informative, highlighting the dangers of railway environment and encouraging people to "track off" and "choose life."

I would like to congratulate the young people on their work and to thank those who made it possible for it to reach a wider audience.

Anna Pritchard

Princes Drive,

Skipton

SIR- We, the residents of areas in Castle Street and Romille Street, would like to take the opportunity to thank very much the Craven Herald's reporter and photographer whose article in the paper in August brought to light, the state of the back streets and footpaths, which are maintained by North Yorkshire County Council Highways Department.

The story was put together brilliantly and as a result NYCC got themselves motivated before winter came and a serious accident could occur.

The job was done superbly, the best it has looked in 20 years. In fact a marvellous job done by all.

Satisfied Residents,

Castle and Romille Street,

Skipton.

SIR - The Craven and District newsletter and calendar of events for this autumn and winter makes interesting reading.

I note that over the entire six month period, October to March, only three events are listed as taking place in the Devonshire Institute in Grassington.

Can anyone explain this paucity? When funds were being solicited for the building's refurbishment and enlargement we were promised much in the way of cultural entertainment and community participation.

Instead we get dreary commercial "craft fairs" on summer weekends and occasional local performances which are little publicised and hence poorly attended.

L Phillipson,

Brooklyn,

Threshfield.

SIR - Grassington, be on guard! Royal charters must wither and perish along with the few remaining aspects of pomp, dignity and flummery.

For a manifestly disingenuous letter has been sent to the parish council with the express intention of banning the once-monthly farmers' market which has proved so well patronised since its inception in June.

The letter has not been circulated publicly, but leaks are rife nowadays from Government down to Yorkshire Water and secrets are hard to keep...

Sympathy must be felt for the inhabitants of large towns who in their bland indifference think farmers did rather well out of the foot-and-mouth slaughter and quarantine. Some few were over-compensated but many went under.

The diversification evident at these excellent markets is illustrative of the new methods many farmers and their families are employing in an effort to get back on top after that punishing year.

As for the shopkeepers and others, fellow signatories, who fear the competition of one Sunday in a month, I trust they will be adequately compensated on the three pre-Christmas Saturdays of the so-called "Dickensian", a vastly oversubscribed and tatty dinosaur well past its sell-by date and viewed by most of the villagers as a gross inconvenience.

James Birdsall,

Wood Lane,

Grassington.

SIR - I was pleased to read of the planned re-opening of St Andrews Playgroup in last week's paper. But I was angered by the letter entitled 'Struggle for volunteers'.

Playgroups provide a high quality of education, usually from paid staff and are certainly not the poor relative of private nurseries as the writer implied.

Of course children need to develop a wide range of skills during their pre-school years, but this does not necessarily need to be done by skilled practitioners. What about parents, relatives and friends? All of the mothers I know have an understanding of child development and are able to develop confidence and self esteem, as well as a whole range of other qualities and skills in their own children.

By definition, pre-school children do not need to understand school type learning, before they are compelled by law to be part of it. Under 5s are at the most rapid stage of development in their lives, one which enables them to learn complex skills and ideas through play.

The first four years of a child's life are not preparation for school. They are the unique opportunity in which to develop a secure and stimulating foundation that lasts for the rest of the child's life.

I rate good nurseries and skilled early years practitioners highly, but I object most strongly to the implication that they are the best childcare providers.

As was stated, society has changed; this means there is much more variety in childcare not that there is now a hierarchy of childcare. The timing and organisation of playgroups may not suit working mothers.

However, some mothers choose to have a break from paid work, to look after their children. In this situation playgroups can be the ideal compliment, and are in no way a second rate choice.

Rachel Taylor,

Upper Sackville Street,

Skipton.

SIR - Thursday is the next date for the Skipton area forum.

Since the one held in March, at which Coun Mrs English forbade anyone not residing actually in Skipton from speaking, it appears that the council have had a change of mind, and have indeed apologised for that action.

Accordingly, can we at Craven Ratepayers Action Group (Crag) add our request to that on the front page of the Craven Herald recently, and ask all interested council tax payers to attend, and make their views heard?

Crag's viewpoint is unchanged from last year, in that we wish to see council taxes increase by no more than the rate of inflation, a viewpoint backed by the Royal British Legion and Help the Aged, and probably most of Craven.

Whilst the police authority are unlikely to need more than this, after all their precept has almost trebled over the last three years, and they can now afford leather trimmed luxury vehicles for 25 of their staff unlike any other authority, there are still hints that other precepting or taxing authorities will not be satisfied with a rise in line with inflation.

If your pockets are not bottomless, and you feel that enough is enough, why not join Crag and make your voice heard?

Alan Perrow,

Chairman,

Craven Ratepayers' Action Group

18 Bannister Walk,

Cowling.

SIR - Exploiting animals for entertainment is on the increase.

Reality programmes such as ITV's 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here' showed insects and fish being eaten alive. Channel 4's 'Big Brother' showed contestants attempting to care for chickens. Now Channel 5's 'The Farm' is taking the exploitation of animals for entertainment still further and plans to show "celebrities" with little or no animal handling experience undertaking anything from de-horning calves to sending animals to slaughter.

How far will a reality show go to boost ratings? We need to start asking some serious questions about the way we see and treat animals.

I acknowledge that where 'The Farm' is concerned, it is useful to encourage viewers to consider where the meat they eat comes from and think about farming methods in general but there are other less drastic methods of doing this.

Using farm animals for entertainment is unacceptable in a modern, civilised society. It is a pity that the programme makers will not use this opportunity to explore the reality of factory farming in instead.

I urge your readers to write a polite letter to Channel Five, requesting that they consider the ramifications of using farm animals as sources of light entertainment. Channel Five should be asked to explain why they chosen to screen such an ethically dubious programme.

Readers should also visit Compassion in World Farming Trust's website animalsentience.com as this site encapsulates the philosophies of respect towards animals.

Gwyn Hamilton,

Burnroyd Avenue,

Cross Hills.

SIR - We wish to thank all those who supported us in our campaign to save the South Parade garage site from redevelopment by Craven Housing. The outcome has been in our favour.

With special thanks to Coun Solloway, the Civic Society, Town Council and David Curry MP for all their support. The tenants of South Parade garage site and residents of Cawder Road thank you.

C Courtney,

Cawder Road,

Skipton.

SIR - Can anyone, anywhere, explain why the UK now uses, as normal practice, a billion to mean 1,000,000,000. I know it originates from America. I was taught that a billion was 1,000,000,000,000. At what point in the world's history did we get (apparently) forced to use the American version and more importantly why?

RA Hall,

Haw Park,

Embsay.