Letters to the Editor

SIR, - The suggestion that the five West Yorkshire local authorities should sell at least part of their stake in Leeds Bradford Airport (Wharfedale, March 18) is eminently sensible.

Leeds City Council, which owns 40 per cent of the capital, apparently receives little return on its investment, yet the sale of those shares as part of a commercially-sound flotation would produce funds which could benefit the whole community.

There is a further reason, however, why the city council should give up its financial interest in LBIA. The airport company has formulated an ambitious expansion plan, which requires careful scrutiny on behalf of all those affected by aircraft noise, additional road traffic, proposed new access routes and extended car parks.

It is difficult for the city council, as the local planning authority, to be seen to be impartial in this when it has such a substantial ownership interest in the airport.

Leeds Bradford Airport has benefited from the nurture of its local authority parents. It is in everyone's interests that it should now fly the nest.

JOHN BALE

14 Balmoral Way,

Yeadon.

Wise opinion

SIR, - Through your paper, I would like to thank Michael Charnley for his letter of wisdom concerning the new library and the petty objections that the Liberal councillors are putting as obstacles.

They attempted to scupper the hospital project, now it is the turn of the library. Councillor Kevin Cooney (Lab) also explains his persistent action to achieve success in West Chevin ward. He has done exceptionally well. Thank you Kevin.

Coun Jim Spencer (Lib Dem) wrote at length about Otley Civic Centre which apparently he has a desire to dispose of and probably demolish. If Otley people really want a new civic centre then the only way we are going to get one is by every resident promising to give a sum of money to fulfil this 'dream'.

Ted Joce also goes on somewhat unfairly about Judith Blake. Permit me to remind Ted how selection for prospective councillors is made.

Judith would very much have liked to stand for Otley and Yeadon this year but she had already been selected for South Leeds. She lives in Otley, her children attend Prince Henry's Grammar School where she is a governor.

She obviously has the interests of Otley at heart. Unlike some Lib Dem councillors, she campaigned to keep Wharfedale Hospital in Otley.

Her credentials are extremely worthy as most people who are politically minded will know. For those readers who are not politically minded, may I remind you that Otley town councillors receive nothing in pay or expenses for the hours they give to their duties. Look at what has been achieved for your good in this beautiful market town, but beware of false promises.

Marjorie Dunn

42 St David's Road,

Otley.

Speaking up

SIR, - I am delighted that the public meeting for the Riverside project has begun to explore the implications and consequences of certain possible developments.

This Riverside debate is beginning to open everyone's eyes to the many options that may arise from possible developments of the riverbank. The bigger picture for Otley, however, must be similarly explored in conjunction with the Riverside debate.

This prospect for Otley has the potential for significant developments at the rear of Kirkgate and Church Lane, along Crow Lane and let's not forget the proposed supermarket and housing development on Bondgate.

If Otley is to maintain its market town status we need to consider how best to protect and improve that identity, given there is scope to develop large tracts of land in the middle or on the edge of the business centre itself.

Riverside developments certainly could have a direct bearing on the town centre. The report due to be published this week on Market Towns by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England should I believe be analysed in relation to Otley's current and future contexts.

I also feel that today's residents and business people of Otley need to take on the challenge of speaking out on behalf of present and future generations of Otley. Let's remember that the final outcome of the Riverside debate will finish up in some written format and be used by, for example, the planning officers of Leeds City Council to inform local authority decision making.

Let's make sure, therefore, that our many different voices are not merely heard but also listened to.

Sylvia Reid

8A Ghyll Beck Drive,

Otley.

Show praised

SIR, - Years ago it was always said to budding actors: "Never work with children or animals", because as they were likely to outshine you.

I suppose there was a chance of this happening with Yeadon Amateur Operatic Dramatic Society's production of Annie recently. However, everyone involved in the show, both centre stage and in the background, all played their part to make sure the show was so successful.

Well done to everyone (including Sandy the dog) for working so hard to entertain the audience every evening. I hope the society is able to keep all the talented youngsters interested for future productions. They were great.

M Gilks (Mrs)

Harrogate Road,

Yeadon.

Blood plea

SIR, - I am writing to thank your readers who have donated blood or bone marrow to the National Blood Service (NBS) over the past year for their support and to persuade others to become donors as well.

I would also like to thank those people who support the NBS behind the scenes: the local collection session organisers, companies and volunteers who make valuable contributions to help the NBS fulfil its core purpose of saving and improving lives.

I recently presented the NBS's National Special Awards. The awards recognise the work of those people who have made 'special' contributions to the Service, including staff, volunteers, organisations, blood donors and recipients.

These people really have gone the 'extra mile' to support the NBS and I had the opportunity to see first-hand that being a blood or bone marrow donor really can save and improve patient's lives. It was a great honour and has inspired me to spread the word. By giving blood you really are doing something amazing - saving lives.

During the awards, as well as meeting blood transfusion recipients, I met some of the wonderful donor carers who ensure that giving blood is as comfortable as possible and also the volunteers who help organise donor sessions across the country.

Without these very special people the NBS wouldn't be able to operate and a big thank-you goes to them as well.

Please become a donor. To find where you nearest donor session is taking place call the National Donor Helpline on 0845-7-711-711 or visit www.blood.co.uk

TANIA BRYER

TV Presenter and

Blood Donor.

Not funny

SIR, - What a pathetic uncaring sight, all the Government grinning during the Budget when Gordon Brown announced he was to make 30,000 Civil Servants redundant. Thirty thousand men and women with children, mortgages, Council Tax etc. in this modern world.

All their hopes go down the drain because this Government was not more efficient in the first place. Not a laughing matter Mr Blair, just very, very sad!

Mrs F Lofthouse

Farfield,

4 Forest Gate,

East Chevin Road,

Otley.

A challenge

SIR, Would you like to take on the challenge of the Great North Run and help beat meningitis at the same time? The Meningitis Trust is looking for runners to join its team in Newcastle on Sunday, September 26.

All we ask in return is that you raise funds to help fight a disease that devastates the lives of thousands of individuals and families every year. To find out more and secure your place in this year's Great North Run, please contact me as soon as possible on (01453) 769085 or email me at grege@meningitis-trust.org.

Greg Evans

Meningitis Trust

Fern House, Bath Road,

Stroud, Gloucestershire,

GL5 3TJ.

Spain failure

SIR, - It will have come as little surprise to anyone in Spain that the prime suspects for the Madrid massacre were of Moroccan nationality.

The much respected Guardia Civil Police Force have been fighting a losing battle for some time now against an illegal influx of Algerian and Moroccan immigrants .

Sadly for democracy the Spaniards have buckled at the ballot box like the twisted and torn remains lying on the lines in Madrid. The Popular Party deserved to be booted out of office, but only for hopelessly failing to protect its own borders .

It's incredible just how inept the Spanish have been in allowing illegal immigration to spiral out of all control. There are no or little passport checks at airports and other points of entry, truly a disgraceful state of affairs.

The 200 victims on March 11 died because their Government shockingly allowed them to be put at high risk.

Spain's good intentions in being Dubya's Iraq poodle might have been well meant but Madrid and its people never wanted trouble and it turned out to be a lot more than it was worth.

Dan Cooney

Casa Loco,

Alicante,

Spain.

Rabbit plight

SIR, - Easter is a very popular time of year for people to purchase rabbits as pets and, hopefully with your help, we may shed light on the enormous number of rabbits waiting in rescue centres.

In recent years it has become more and more popular for families to buy a pet rabbit at Easter, and this year the Rabbit Welfare Association (RWA) and the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) are urging parents to consider instead giving a home to one of the 33,000 unwanted rabbits living in Rabbit Rescue Centres up and down the country.

Many of these rabbits have been bought as Easter presents in the past and once the novelty has worn off, sometimes not long after the last chocolate egg has been eaten, they are either subjected to a miserable life alone in a hutch, or 'donated' to a rescue centre. By re-homing a rescue rabbit, hundred of Easter Bunnies will be given a brighter future, way beyond Easter.

To find your nearest Rabbit Rescue Centre contact the RWA helpline on 0870 046 5249 or go to www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk.

Ms A GIRT

9 Greenlea Road,

Yeadon.